Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands

The Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands is a significant new dental facility located at 117 W Sevier Ave Ste 220, Kingsport, TN 37660, with the phone number (423) 933-3773. This clinic is a collaborative effort involving the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Dentistry, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Ballad Health, the City of Kingsport, Delta Dental of Tennessee, Eastman, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Its primary purpose is twofold: to enhance access to quality, affordable dental care for underserved populations in the Appalachian Highlands region and to provide crucial hands-on training for the next generation of dental professionals. The clinic, a 6,500-square-foot facility with 12 treatment rooms and state-of-the-art equipment, officially opened its doors for patients in September 2024, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2024. It is a key component of the UT College of Dentistry's "Healthy Smiles Initiative," a statewide effort to improve oral health throughout Tennessee by expanding dental class sizes and establishing new clinical rotation sites. At the Kingsport Dental Clinic, fourth-year dental students from UTHSC, alongside dental hygiene students from ETSU and dental assistant students from Northeast State Community College, gain real-world experience under the supervision of experienced volunteer dental faculty and licensed dentists participating in the Johnston Memorial Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry program. This unique model allows the clinic to offer comprehensive dental services at reduced, often sliding-scale fees, making care more accessible to those who might otherwise struggle to afford it. Services provided are expected to include a wide array of general dentistry procedures, such as professional teeth cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments, and potentially more advanced procedures as the training program evolves. The clinic is designed to offer a dignified and permanent setting for dental care, a significant improvement over previous reliance on mobile dental units for many residents in the area. The long-term vision for the facility even includes the potential to evolve into a full-fledged college of dentistry, further cementing its role in regional healthcare and education.