In early 1993, a group of UCSF dental students joined the medical students who had been running a homeless health clinic at the South of Market Shelter at Fifth and Bryant Street. The idea to add dental care to the services provided by the clinic came from a second year medical student Linda Kajisa (who had a DDS degree from UCSF).

All the necessary equipment was donated by Dr. Andrew Valenti, an Alumnus of UCSF School of Dentistry. On Jan. 9, 1993, some 15-20 dental students and several medical students transported the equipment from Valentiís office to the shelter. In order to put it in use, additional funds had to be raised to convert one of the shelter' rooms to an operating dental office that met regulations. Soon afterwards, the first screening was held Jan. 26, 1993 and the plan was to open the clinic for dental screening every other Tuesday.

The need for dental clinic was confirmed when, in just one day, the shelter compiled a two-page list of individuals seeking dental care. Since most of the clients have no access to any dental care, the clinic offered baseline extra- and intra- oral exams and oral cancer screenings, as well as oral hygiene instructions. Dental students dispense dental floss, toothpaste, and toothbrushes to the homeless, and some patients were even able to receive pain medications and antibiotics. Because the clinic was not equipped to treat patients, dental emergencies were referred out to San Francisco General Hospital and the Berkeley Free Clinic.

All in all, the clinic was not only a much needed program to care for the homeless in San Francisco, it was also a way for UCSF students to serve the community and to gain valuable clinical experience while in school.