Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center is a nonprofit clinic serving uninsured and underinsured residents of Southwest Virginia.
The center broke ground this week on a $1.3 million expansion, funded in part by its affiliated philanthropic organization.
Appalachian Highlands Dental Philanthropies was established in 2024 to support the Abingdon-based clinic. To date, the organization has raised over $761,000 through grants and private donations, according to the organization.
The center is currently seeking $563,133, primarily to purchase equipment and supplies for a new sterilization center and additional treatment rooms.
The project will add 1,903 square feet (approximately 175 square meters) to the center, including seven new treatment rooms—increasing the operating room capacity from 14 to 21—as well as a dedicated sterilization center and dental administrative offices.
Clinic leaders say the expansion is in response to overwhelming demand: the clinic has a waiting list of over 3,000 people and sees dozens of new patients daily.
According to the clinic’s website, most patients come from the Mount Rogers, Lee-Novisco, and Cumberland Plateau health districts.
The region also faces a workforce shortage: Washington County ranks 17th out of 26 on the federal Health Professional Shortage Area Scale, while neighboring Smith and Lee counties score 25—a higher score indicates a greater need for clinicians and a higher placement priority.
The Bristol-based United Companies Foundation made the project’s first public donation of $100,000. The Florida-based Debra K. Howe Charitable Trust donated $665,881.
Rachel Helton, the clinic’s philanthropic director, said the trust’s founder is a longtime friend of the clinic and a major supporter of its mission.
“Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center provides vital oral health care to the entire community,” said Israel O’Quinn, president of the United Companies Foundation and a Republican member of the Washington County delegation. “Our board is honored to support this effort to improve dental care access for the residents of Southwest Virginia.”
The Virginia Healthcare Foundation, a public-private partnership dedicated to expanding health care for uninsured and underserved residents, also supported the expansion.
“Too many Virginians suffer from preventable oral health problems,” said Rachel Reese, CEO of the foundation. “This expansion will help more people get the care they need.”
Clinic officials said the remaining funds will be used to pay for dental chairs, sterilization equipment, and other supplies needed before the new clinic opens.