KINGSPORT— Kingsport’s new dental clinic has already treated more than 1,300 patients and completed over 3,000 procedures in its first year, officials said, as the facility prepares for a major expansion to broaden programs and increase student training opportunities.
Dr. Ken Tilashalski, executive associate dean at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, updated the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday about the clinic’s progress.
“Since September, we’ve had over 1,300 appointments and completed more than 3,000 procedures,” Tilashalski said. “We are meeting a real need in this community.”
The Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands opened in July 2024 and began seeing patients in September. In its first year, the clinic has seen an unexpected trend: roughly two-thirds of patients have been children.
“That was a surprise for us,” Tilashalski said. “We are seeing a strong demand for pediatric care.”
The clinic operates through a partnership between the University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), and Northeast State Community College. Currently, four dental students from Memphis rotate through the clinic every two weeks. ETSU hygiene students assist two mornings per week, while Northeast State dental assisting students are scheduled to begin rotations in January 2026.
Local high school students interested in dentistry have also participated through career and technical education programs.
Three Dobyns-Bennett students joined the clinic’s program, and two of them are now pursuing pre-dental studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Tilashalski announced that the clinic recently received approval to launch an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, a one-year residency for recent dental graduates. “We’re recruiting a site director now, and our first residents are expected to arrive in July 2026,” he said.
Expansion Plans for 2027
Long-term plans include expanding student rotations and completing the clinic’s buildout. Currently, only four students rotate at a time, but UT plans to gradually increase this number to 16–20 students and eventually host 40–50 students for their full fourth year in Kingsport.
Architects are finalizing plans for the full buildout of the clinic, which currently occupies just one-quarter of a city-owned building. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2027. The expansion will also depend on the number of dental chairs installed, which will determine how many students can be trained and housed on-site.
Tilashalski noted several challenges ahead. Students need exposure to adult patients, not just pediatric care, to ensure a well-rounded education. Housing will also need to evolve. Presently, UT provides Airbnb accommodations and vehicles for two-week student rotations. As the program shifts to longer placements, more stable housing options, such as apartments near the clinic, will be necessary.
“These are older students, often in their late 20s and sometimes with families,” Tilashalski said. “Dorms aren’t ideal. Apartments closer to the clinic would be much more attractive.”
UT is also redesigning its curriculum to support a new training model, with three years in Memphis and a fourth year in Kingsport, aligning with the clinic’s expansion goals.