Dental Assistance

Dental care can be expensive and often delayed when other needs come first, but dental health is essential to your overall well-being, especially for theater professionals. The Denver Actors Fund provides support for urgent and necessary dental procedures for Colorado theatre artists. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency or need help covering costs, we may be able to assist.

Please contact us about your options prior to moving forward with any dental work.

One of the options we have available is a partnership for emergency dental support thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Brian Kelly, DDS and Hakala Family Dentistry. A Broadway veteran turned top-rated dentist, Dr. Kelly has a unique understanding of the challenges performers face and has generously donated more than $170,000 of dental care to Colorado theatre artists in need — ranging from urgent extractions to extensive procedures. Although now retired from his full-time practice, Dr. Kelly continues to donate his time and expertise specifically to serve DAF patients. This ongoing care is made possible through the support and facilities generously provided by Hakala Family Dentistry.

Please note: Colorado theatre artists seeking dental assistance through this partnership must apply directly through The Denver Actors Fund. Please do not contact Dr. Kelly or Hakala Family Dentistry directly.

While we encourage applicants to take advantage of Dr. Kelly’s generously donated care, use of his services is not required. However, artists who choose to use another dental provider must still apply through DAF and may be considered for financial assistance on a case-by-case basis, subject to available funding and review.

DAF coverage for dental care is subject to all other applicable eligibility requirements.

Thanks to our dental partner:

“These people who do theater – the actors, the producers, the stagehands and others – they are underserved and underpaid. Many of them have no health insurance, much less dental insurance. This is a community of people who offer a service. They make peoples’ lives better and happier by entertaining them. And the idea that they can’t afford to go to a dentist because it is outrageously expensive bothers me greatly. They deserve help when they need it.”

Dr. Brian Kelly, DDS