History & Mission

St Apollonia Dental Clinic (SADC) is a private 501©(3) nonprofit dental clinic, created to provide a comprehensive dental home for the children of Aroostook County who do not have one and do not have access to one. The Clinic strives to put a healthy smile on the face of EVERY child.

About 20 years into her private practice career, Dr Norma Desjardins had developed an acute awareness of the many, indeed hundreds of Head Start enrolled children in central Aroostook County who were not receiving dental services, mostly because they had public insurance (MaineCare). Dr Desjardins knew that the reimbursement rate of MaineCare was so low that it often did not make economic sense to provide the needed dental services in a private practice setting. She surmised that the way to do it would require grants, donations and other aid. She and her husband Paul began the process of creating a nonprofit dental clinic.

With the help of many interested community members, St Apollonia Dental Clinic became a reality. Since 2012 thousands of children have received much needed dental care at this comprehensive dental home.

St Apollonia Dental Clinic seeks to aid those most in need of dental services; particularly the children and adolescents of Aroostook County who would otherwise not have access to quality dental care. The Clinic strives to remain financially sustainable while committing to never say “No” to a child based on their socioeconomic status.