The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry has officially opened a new satellite dental clinic based in Dothan, Alabama, with the goal of recruiting, educating, training and retaining dentists across the entire dental community within the Wiregrass region of the state. announced that it will help improve health.

“We are grateful to the state and local leaders and generous supporters who played a critical role in making this clinic a reality,” said Nicholas Goules, DDS, interim dean of the UAB School of Dentistry. Stated. “Our mission at the UAB School of Dentistry is to help optimize oral health care across the state of Alabama.”

“We know our state is facing a shortage of rural dentists, and we look forward to helping alleviate some of the burden of the shortage through this new clinic.”

UAB Dentistry Dothan is staffed by faculty from the UAB School of Dentistry and features state-of-the-art technology, including new products that utilize 3D imaging technology to take high-resolution digital impressions of a patient's teeth and panoramic x-rays to capture the entire mouth. Equipped with technology. In one image.

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Nancy Hein Covert, DMD, clinic director at UAB Dentistry Dothan, said the new clinic will continue UAB's high standards of care and training.

“We are excited to be able to offer residents of the Wiregrass region the same world-class dental care and clinical training available at UAB School of Dentistry,” Covert said. “This clinic allows us to offer a variety of comprehensive dental services to the people of this region, while also providing important training to teach our students how to provide quality, reliable oral health care in rural communities. .”

Our clinic provides preventive treatment, orthodontic treatment, and beauty services for patients of all ages. Emergency dental care is also provided for issues such as root canals, tooth extractions, temporomandibular joint disorders, and chipped or broken teeth.

State Sen. Donnie Chestin (R-Geneva) spoke about the importance of the clinic.

“This partnership between the state and UAB demonstrates our commitment to addressing the dental crisis in rural Alabama,” Cheteen said. “Dothan has 1.4 dentists per 10,000 people, while the national average is 6.1. This new clinic provides important dental services to this region of the state.”

The clinic is located in Health Center South, owned by Dr. Marnix E. Heersink and the Heersink family. Mr. Hersink is one of the university's top donors.

“The bond we have built with UAB has grown significantly in the Wiregrass region and has become the foundation for providing vital dental education, care and outreach to nearby communities,” Helsink said at the clinic's opening.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to President Watts and his dedicated team for helping make this happen.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.