All age groups are eligible for emergency care to relieve pain and infection. The Foundation Board of Directors establishes the treatment guidelines and limitations. Volunteer dentists review all requested services to ensure that Foundation guidelines are followed. Patients are required to pay a small fee for services and are given mainstream care in a private setting. Participating dentists accept fees much lower than their customary charges.
Adults pay half of the reduced fee and children's families pay a small flat fee for services.
The Foundation then pays the dentist the remaining balance. Volunteer dentists and the Dental Society administers the program. This keeps the overhead very low and allows contributed funds to reach needy clients with minimal dilution. There are nine board members, and most are practicing dentists. All dentists in the program are members of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society, the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association.