St. Mary Health Center’s Uncertain Future: Free Dental Care for Low-Income Patients in Peril as Basilica Asks them to Vacate Premises

St. Mary Health Center, which is the only health center in Wilmington that provides free emergency dental services to low-income patients, may soon be closing its doors. The center’s executive director, Laura Vinson, expressed feeling blindsided after receiving a letter from the basilica where the center is located, asking them to vacate the premises. The basilica stated that they needed the rooms currently used by the Dental Clinic and requested the center to relocate.

The St. Mary Health Center was given until July 1 to vacate the premises, despite attempts by Vinson and volunteer Kathy Smith to negotiate for more time. Vinson mentioned feeling deceived as she was under the impression that there was a plan in place to support them until they secured a new location. Volunteer Smith, who has been at the center for a decade, finds the situation shocking and believes it is a setback for the valuable work they do in the community.

Patients who rely on the services provided by the center are now uncertain about where they will receive care in the future. Smith noted that patients have expressed concerns and fears about not receiving the same level of care they are accustomed to. The impact of the center’s closure will also affect medical and dental students who volunteer there. Vinson expressed disappointment that