Dental Clinic Fills Need in West Region

Facility Provides Comprehensive Dental Care for Uninsured Children, Adults

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, joined other state and local officials Tuesday, December 6, for an open house at the West Tennessee Regional Office Dental Clinic in Jackson. The clinic provides comprehensive dental care for uninsured adults and children.

“Since opening last March, Tennesseans have come from 20 counties to receive dental care at this clinic, demonstrating the value of these services in West Tennessee,” Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, said. “We are pleased to be part of the partnership that has helped this operation serve many Tennesseans and hope it can serve as a model for service, training and even job creation in other parts of Tennessee going forward."

The West Tennessee Regional Office Dental Clinic is a state-of-the-art facility staffed by a full-time dentist and dental assistant. Fourth-year students at the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis also provide services in one-week rotations at the clinic, as part of a unique partnership with the UT Health Sciences Center. Clinic rotations are part of the curriculum for all fourth-year students at the school. The Jackson-Madison County Health Department also supports the partnership, and helped arrange for housing for the students provided by Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

“This partnership is a great example of a successful effort in which different groups work together for the benefit of our entire community,” said Tony Emison, MD, director of the Jackson-Madison County Health Department. “We are extremely proud of this project and thrilled to have this dental clinic in Jackson.”

The West Tennessee Regional Office Dental Clinic provides services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Since opening in March, 2011, providers have treated more than 215 patients and delivered more than 2,300 procedures at the facility. Dental students began serving their rotations in August, with more than 30 students completing rotations to date. Patients have come from 20 Tennessee counties to receive treatment at the clinic. The total value of the services provided to these patients is more than $132,000.

The West Tennessee Regional Office Dental Clinic is located at 295 Summar Street in Jackson. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call (731) 421-6740.