BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The American Dental Association ranks Alabama 51st in the nation for access to dental care, a ranking UAB’s School of Dentistry wants to change.
School leaders want to add more dental clinics near rural and moderately urban parts of the state.
They have already launched a clinic in Dothan and are now eyeing a new satellite clinic in Decatur.
The goal is to have it open by 2026, pending approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
The clinic would offer a full range of dental care, such as screenings, cleanings, therapy and more.
If successful, more clinics could start popping up.
The Dean of UAB’s School of Dentistry says the need is real, and this would help both communities and students.
“Many patients don’t have dental insurance, and it’s difficult for them to be able to access the care in the current model, but we also have an issue that many areas of the state don’t have dentists,” said Nicolaas Geurs, the school’s dean. “That’s an issue that we’re trying to solve by increasing the enrollment at our school, but also by creating opportunities for our students to practice out in the community, or learn how to practice out in the community, with these community-based clinics.”
UAB says it is thankful for the state’s support in this endeavor.
WBRC is told the state of Alabama would fund this project.
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