Reviewed by: Patience Itson
UAB to open new dental clinic in Dothan to address Alabama’s dental crisis
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry announced plans to bring a new satellite dentistry clinic to Dothan. Keep reading to learn more about this first-of-its-kind dentistry clinic that will address the shortage of dental health providers in rural Alabama.
UAB dental clinic is coming to Dothan
UAB is heading to Dothan with its new clinic at the Health Center South Medical Tower. The project is supported by a $3.4 million appropriation from the state of Alabama to help bring more dentists to rural areas of the state.
“We are looking forward to serving the residents of the Dothan community and surrounding region.
Through this clinic, we hope to help alleviate some of the burden caused by the rural dentistry shortage across the state of Alabama. We are grateful for the help of our state and local leaders and our generous supporters as we work together to bring world-class dental care to this region.”
Russell S. Taichman, Dean, UAB School of Dentistry
Why is this dental clinic important?
According to the American Dental Association, Alabama ranks 51 in the country for access to dental care and this new dental clinic is hoping to help change that.
“The partnership between the state and UAB shows the commitment to providing critical dental services to the residents of the Dothan area. Dothan has 1.4 dentists for every 10,000 people, while the national average is 6.1. This new clinic will change that.”
Donnie Chesteen, Senator, State of Alabama
What will the clinic be like?
The clinic will have eight exam chairs and have the capacity to perform 10,000 patient visits each year. UAB School of Dentistry’s all-star team of faculty, residents and dental students will staff the clinic.
Along with providing dentistry care to this rural area of Alabama, the clinic also hopes to attract more dentists to the Wiregrass region of the state. It will do this by recruiting, training and retaining the next generation of dentists committed to practice in this area.
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