A community dental clinic in Abingdon, Southwest Virginia is expanding its facilities, aiming to provide greater access to dental services for uninsured and Medicaid patients in the region. The Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center, operated by its charitable nonprofit arm, recently secured a total of $300,000 in matched donations, thanks to a $150,000 gift from The Secular Society, a philanthropic group from Blacksburg, and contributions from local donors. Construction on the expansion began in September.
The planned upgrade will add seven treatment rooms to the clinic, increasing its capacity from 14 to 21 operatories, and will expand the dental center by 1,903 square feet. Executive director Rachel Helton emphasized the importance of community support, noting that donors rallied to double their gifts. Helton also reported that the clinic’s fundraising goal of $1.3 million has been met, though further funds are needed for a larger parking lot and a generator before the capital campaign can be fully completed.
The dental facility serves patients who otherwise struggle to afford care, with about 70 percent of its patients on Medicaid and the remaining 30 percent uninsured. Despite expanded services, the clinic still faces high demand, with approximately 3,100 patients currently on its waiting list. Washington County, where the clinic is located, is recognized as a Health Professional Shortage Area, scoring 17 out of 26, indicating a significant need for more healthcare providers. Neighboring counties Smyth and Lee face even greater shortages, with scores of 25.
The expansion of clinic facilities is expected to help reduce waiting times and improve dental health outcomes for patients across the Southwest Virginia region. Increasing operatories and space will allow the clinic to serve more people who lack dental insurance or who rely on Medicaid for coverage.
Local leaders and nonprofit groups continue to call for stronger investment in health services, especially in areas with high unmet needs. The expanded dental clinic is seen as a positive step towards improving care accessibility for vulnerable residents and addressing longstanding shortages in the region’s dental workforce.
Tags: Dental Insurance