NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education

What NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education does

NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education, operating as the New Mexico Dental Association Foundation (NMDAF), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN 74-3146433) founded in 2005 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It serves as the charitable arm of the New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA) and operates a portfolio of interconnected service programs designed to increase oral health literacy and access to dental care for low-income New Mexicans, including veterans, the elderly, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, medically compromised patients, and children from low-income families.

Core programs include the NM Mission of Mercy (NM MOM) two-day free dental clinic, the Free Denture Clinic delivered in partnership with the Global Denture Alliance, Donated Dental Services (DDS) connecting vulnerable patients with volunteer dentists, Give Kids A Smile, NM Smiles in-office dental days, Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile clinics, the Special Needs Dentistry Program, the Emerging Leaders Program, the Future New Mexico Dentist Scholarship, and the NM Dentist Relief Fund. Service delivery is event-driven and volunteer-led, mobilizing a statewide network of dentists, hygienists, labs, and community members who donate time and resources; all services are provided at no cost to eligible patients.

The foundation is funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and grants, with the NM MOM event alone requiring approximately $300,000 in tax-deductible contributions and in-kind support. Year-round corporate, foundation, and government sponsors include Delta Dental, Henry Schein, Patterson Dental, United Concordia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Nusenda Foundation, United Way North Central NM, Anderson Foundation, and Brycon Corporation. The five-person staff is led by Executive Director Trish Rule, PMP, supported by a board of dentists and community leaders. Over its 20-year history the organization has delivered $18.84 million in free treatment through 12,900 volunteers, creating over 14,700 new smiles.

Name

NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education

Legal name

New Mexico Foundation for Dental Health, Education & Research

Website

https://nmdentalassociationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education (dba NM Dental Association Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that delivers free dental care, oral health education, and denture services to low-income, uninsured, elderly, veteran, special-needs, and pediatric populations across New Mexico via volunteer-driven clinic events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Dental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (6212), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Medicaid/Community-Focused DSOs (HLABAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Family Dentistry (Multi-Disciplinary In-Office General Care) (HLABAAAE), School/Community-Based Preventive Dental Programs (HLABAHAM)

Keywords

• Charitable dental services
• Oral health education
• Volunteer dental programs
• Free dental clinics
• Dental workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN 74-3146433) funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and grants. All donations are tax-deductible. The NM MOM event requires approximately $300,000 in tax-deductible donations and in-kind contributions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education operates a portfolio of charitable programs that deliver free dental care and oral health education to low-income and underserved New Mexicans. Core offerings include large-scale free clinic events (NM Mission of Mercy, RAM clinics, Free Denture Clinics), volunteer-dentist referral programs (Donated Dental Services, Give Kids A Smile, NM Smiles), oral health literacy education, a special needs dentistry program, a dentist relief fund, and an Emerging Leaders Program with mentorship and scholarships for future dental professionals.

Product overview

NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education (dba NM Dental Association Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation that serves as the charitable arm of the NM Dental Association. Rather than a unified software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of interconnected service programs centered on increasing oral health literacy and access to dental care for low-income New Mexicans. Core service programs include the NM Mission of Mercy (large-scale free dental clinics), Free Denture Clinic (providing free dentures to those who cannot afford care), Donated Dental Services (connecting vulnerable populations with volunteer dentists), and Sign up for Care (matching individuals with dental homes). Supporting programs include the Emerging Leaders Program (mentoring and scholarships for future dentists), Special Needs Dentistry Program, Give Kids A Smile, NM Smiles, Oral Health Education, Whole Health Referral, Remote Area Medical clinics, and the NM Dentist Relief Fund. Together these programs provided $18.84 million in free treatment over 20 years through 12,900 professional and community volunteers, creating over 14,700 new smiles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sign up for Care Program matching low-income individuals and families in New Mexico with the dental care they need, serving as a pathway to a dental home.
• NM Mission of Mercy (NM MOM) Large-scale two-day dental clinic providing free dental treatment (fillings, extractions, cleanings) at no cost to New Mexicans who cannot access or afford dental care. First-come, first-served.
• Free Denture Clinic Annual free two-day clinic providing dentures, relines, adjustments, and medical consultations to low-income New Mexicans who cannot access or afford care. Collaboration with Global Denture Alliance and New Mexico Dental Association.
• Donated Dental Services (DDS) Program connecting volunteer dentists, specialists, and labs to provide free comprehensive dental treatment to New Mexico's most vulnerable populations including elderly, medically compromised individuals, and veterans.
• Emerging Leaders Program Program providing mentoring, leadership training, clinical observation opportunities, and volunteer pathways for pre-dental students, dental students, resident dentists, and new dentists to grow professional support networks.
• Future New Mexico Dentist Scholarship $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to up to two New Mexico college students pursuing dentistry careers, with preference given to those with ties to New Mexico and interest in practicing in-state.
• Special Needs Dentistry Program Program committed to increasing awareness and access to oral healthcare for New Mexicans with acquired and intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD), providing resources for individuals, caregivers, dental providers, and policymakers.
• Give Kids A Smile Program enabling dentist offices to provide free dental care to underprivileged children in their communities, including in-office events and Las Cruces area volunteer opportunities.
• NM Smiles - In Office Dental Day Program enabling dentist offices to serve low-income New Mexicans by providing basic dental care in 1 to 2 appointments.
• Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic Free mobile dental/medical/vision clinic hosted in partnership with Remote Area Medical (RAM) providing high-quality services to New Mexico communities.
• NM Dentist Relief Fund Fund administered to dentists in New Mexico who need temporary financial assistance due to practice-threatening situations.

Quantifiable outcome

• $18.84 million in free treatment provided over 20 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDAF is the charitable arm of NMDA. The foundation works closely with NMDA on programs including the Emerging Leaders Program, NM Mission of Mercy, and the Future New Mexico Dentist Scholarship. NMDA provides professional network access and organizational support.
• Remote Area Medical (RAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host free mobile dental/medical/vision clinics in New Mexico. RAM provides equipment, supplies, and operational support for large-scale clinic events.
• Global Denture AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for annual NM Mission of Mercy Denture Clinic providing free dentures to low-income New Mexicans who cannot access or afford care.
• Global Dental Access Days FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NM MOM (Mission of Mercy) clinic events providing free dental care to underserved populations.
• Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for children's dental screenings at Gathering of Nations Pow Wow and Nizhoni Smiles Health Fair events serving Native American communities.
• University of New Mexico School of Dental MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership studying the current landscape of dental care for individuals with special needs. Joint initiative with NMDA to develop special needs dentistry resources and policy recommendations.
• UNM College of NursingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for health fairs providing whole health referrals and integrated health services alongside dental care.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of New MexicomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor and partner for Nizhoni Smiles Health Fair and other community health events.
• Dona Ana Community College (DACC) Dental Hygiene ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Happy Smiles event providing dental exams and treatment for adults and children in the Las Cruces area.
• United ConcordiamajorOthersMajor sponsor supporting NM MOM events and healthy smiles initiatives across New Mexico.
• Delta DentalmajorOthersMajor sponsor for NM MOM events and denture clinics; provides continuing education courses for dental professionals on serving patients with disabilities.
• Henry Schein DentalmajorOthersGold sponsor for NM MOM events; provides dental equipment and supplies for free clinic operations.
• Patterson DentalmajorOthersGold sponsor for NM MOM events; provides dental equipment and supplies.
• Bernalillo CountymajorOthersPrime sponsor of the 2025 Bernalillo County Free Denture Clinic.
• United Way North Central NMmajorOthersYearly sponsor supporting healthy smiles across New Mexico.
• Nusenda FoundationmajorOthersYearly sponsor supporting oral health initiatives; sponsor of denture clinic events.
• Anderson FoundationmajorOthersYearly sponsor supporting foundation programs.
• Brycon CorporationmajorOthersYearly sponsor; supporter of NM MOM events.
• Cates Romero Team at RBCmajorOthersYearly sponsor; prime sponsor for denture clinic events.
• McKinley CountymajorOthersPartner for Gallup RAM clinic hosting at Gallup-McKinley County Schools.
• San Juan College Dental Hygiene ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram led by board member Dr. Julius Manz; provides dental hygiene education and volunteer opportunities.
• Children's Foundation of New MexicominorOthersYearly sponsor supporting children's dental health programs.
• Santa Fe Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor and partner for NM MOM events.
• Indian Health ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Dr. DezBaa Damon-Mallette works with IHS Gallup Service Unit; partnership for serving Native American communities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dental Lifeline Network: National nonprofit that runs the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program, which NMDAF explicitly participates in. Directly comparable mission of connecting vulnerable populations with volunteer dentists for comprehensive dental treatment.
• America's Dentists Care Foundation: National Mission of Mercy program operator that NMDAF partners with for its NM MOM event. Closest model match as a portable clinic infrastructure provider for large-scale free dental events.
• Virginia Dental Association Foundation: State dental association charitable arm running Mission of Mercy events and Donated Dental Services — directly analogous mission, structure, and event-based delivery model to NMDAF.
• Colorado Dental Association Foundation: State-level dental charitable foundation offering peer-to-peer comparable programs including Give Kids A Smile, MOM events, and donated dental services in a Western state.
• Remote Area Medical (RAM): Operates the mobile free clinic model that NMDAF partners with for its Gallup RAM clinic. Directly comparable volunteer-driven, event-based free dental/medical/vision care delivery.
• National Children's Oral Health Foundation: National nonprofit focused on children's oral health access and the Give Kids A Smile program — directly comparable in pediatric dental access programming that NMDAF also runs.

Emerging players

• Global Dental Relief: Volunteer-driven nonprofit delivering free dental care to underserved children. Comparable mission and volunteer hub model, though focused on international and select U.S. sites rather than single-state.
• Special Olympics Special Smiles: Special needs-focused dental screening program that overlaps with NMDAF's Special Needs Dentistry Program. Relevant peer for the differentiated ID/DD and special-needs dentistry focus.

Broad incumbents

• Pacific Dental Services Foundation: DSO-affiliated charitable arm running dentist volunteer mobilization and free dental events at national scale. Relevant as a broader incumbent in the same DSO-anchored charity space, and historically connected to NMDAF board members.

Others

• Henry Schein Cares Foundation: Major dental industry equipment supplier and NM MOM Gold sponsor. Relevant as an enabling ecosystem partner supplying equipment and supplies that make the foundation's event model possible.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nmfoundationfordentalhealth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NM Foundation for Dental Health, Research and Education