Photo: Jon Tyson on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - March 20, 2026

The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Oral Health Task Force (OHTF) has announced an expansion of its dental financial assistance program. Starting April 1, a new pilot program will extend eligibility to individuals aged 27 to 64, up from young adults, expectant mothers, and those aged 65 years or older. The financial assistance covers up to 90% of the cost of preventative services such as x-rays, exams, and cleanings, as well as basic restorative work, according to the OHTF. 

Since its inception in 2013, the OHTF has operated in collaboration with Grand Marais Family Dentistry and regional grantors. The initiative originally launched to support school-aged children but has since grown to include young adults up to age 26, expectant mothers, uninsured or underinsured seniors aged 65 and older, and members of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The new pilot program aims to expand the reach even further. 

Since 2013, the OHTF has sought to meet the need for accessible, affordable dental care in the area. The idea for the task force came from Grand Marais Family Dentistry owner Dr. Alyssa Hedstrom, DDS, and then-Vice President of the North Shore Health Care Foundation (now Vital North Foundation), Paul Nelson, both of whom had similar experiences observing children in need of dental care but without access to it. 

In 2020, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic adopted the program in order to "make dental care in Cook County sustainable and to strengthen the link between medical and oral health."

The program was recognized in 2024 with the Minnesota Rural Health Team Award for its collaborative efforts. Additionally, co-founder Paul Nelson was awarded the Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor in 2025, which recognized the individual efforts behind the task force's creation and its mission to ensure no resident is barred from dental care due to financial constraints.

Application Process

Those interested in applying for dental financial assistance must complete an application. Forms are available at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC), Grand Marais Family Dentistry (GMFD), or online via the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic website.

Applicants are required to provide proof of income within 30 days of submitting their paperwork. 

For assistance with the application process, community members can contact Bonnie Dalin, the OHTF program coordinator, at 218-370-2559. 

To schedule a dental examination, contact Grand Marais Family Dentistry at 218-387-2774.