BRISTOL, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new location of Healing Hands Health Center opened its doors today providing the expansion of much needed health and dental services in Bristol.
Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation, which supports dental clinics across Tennessee, awarded a grant to the Healing Hands Health Center, enabling them to double their clinic size from 4,600 square feet to 9,600 square feet, including eight new dental exam rooms in the new Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile 180 Oral Health Center.
Today’s opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Governor Bill Haslam who has promised to help provide affordable dental care to all residents of the state. Additionally, Dr. Ken Brown, Executive Vice Chancellor and COO at the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center in Memphis, announced a new dental student internship program at Healing Hands Health Center.
Starting in September, four dental students from the University of Tennessee’s School of Dentistry will work full-time at the Healing Hands Health Center on two-week rotations. Smile180 provided necessary renovations and upgrades to the students’ home away from home, which is owned by Healing Hands. Additionally, Delta Dental of Tennessee has fully equipped the new dental clinic at Healing Hands with the same state-of-the-art equipment found at the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center.
“We are dedicated to improving the oral health of all Tennesseans,” said Dr. Phil Wenk, President and CEO, Delta Dental of Tennessee. “Our Smile180 grants support the great work being done at clinics. We are proud to expand our partnership with Healing Hands Health Center and the University of Tennessee Health and Sciences Center.”
“There is such a need—eight out of ten people walking in our doors each day are asking for dental help. Our clinic currently serves 6,500 dental patients a year,” said Helen Scott, executive director, Healing Hands Health Center. “Because of our new facility and the new University of Tennessee internship program, we will now be able to serve more than 10,000 patients visits each year. We have been serving this community since 1997, and because of the generosity of Delta Dental of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee, we will expand our services for many generations to come. Having students here every day adds so much value and needed services to our community, especially those in pain.”
The new Healing Hands Health Center is located at 245 Midway Medical Park in Bristol. For more information, call 423-573-4324 or visit them at www.healinghandshealthcenter.org.
Delta Dental of Tennessee combines the largest national network of dentists with a focus on the unique dental insurance needs of every individual we serve. Good oral health is essential to a healthy life and Delta Dental of Tennessee makes taking care of your smile easy with access to care, comprehensive benefits, exceptional service, and superior value. Delta Dental of Tennessee is an affiliate of Renaissance Health Service Corporation, which includes Delta Dental plans in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio. For dental made simple, choose Delta Dental. Visit www.DeltaDentalTN.com for more information.
Smile180 reflects the transformative power of a healthy smile to completely turn someone’s life around. We believe a smile is attractive, promotes confidence and is essential to a healthy, productive life. One of the core values of Delta Dental of Tennessee is to support efforts that enhance the health and wellbeing of those in our community by improving oral health in our state. The Smile180 philanthropic initiative will support Tennessee’s dental colleges, children’s hospitals, free and reduced cost community dental clinics, and other like-minded charities. Transforming lives. Transforming communities. One smile at a time.
Visit us at www.Smile180.com.
