A dental center serving uninsured and underinsured people in Southwest Virginia broke ground this week on an expansion, supported by a capital campaign led by its philanthropic arm.
The Appalachian Highlands Dental Charity, created in 2024, is the nonprofit extension of the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center in Abingdon. The charity raises funds to help the center serve patients who lack dental insurance and struggle with the high costs of care.
Most patients come from the Mount Rogers, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau health districts, according to the center’s website. With more than 3,000 people on its waitlist and dozens of new patient calls each day, the center has struggled to keep up with demand, said charity director Rachel Helton in a press release.
Washington County, where the center is located, has a federal health professional shortage area score of 17 out of 26. Surrounding areas, such as Smyth County and Lee County, have a score of 25. The score determines the level of priority for clinicians — the higher the score, the greater the priority.
The $1.3 million expansion will add 1,903 square feet to the facility, including seven new treatment rooms, increasing capacity from 14 to 21, as well as a sterilization center and dental administration office.
So far, over $761,000 has been raised through grants and private donations. The charity is still seeking $563,133, primarily to cover the cost of equipment and supplies for the new sterilization center and treatment rooms, according to the press release.
The United Company Foundation, based in Bristol, contributed the first $100,000 to the project. The foundation is a philanthropic group that supports organizations involved with arts and culture, education, health, human services and the economically disadvantaged, according to an overview on GuideStar.
“The Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center is doing great work in our community. Our foundation and our board are delighted to support their efforts as they bring better dental health to folks across Southwest Virginia,” Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington County and the head of the foundation, said in the press release.
The Debra K. Howe Charitable Trust, based in Florida, also made a contribution of $665,881 to the dental center expansion, according to the press release.
Howe has close personal ties to Southwest Virginia and is a friend of Helton’s.
“In life, there are special friends who prioritize the causes and missions that matter most to us. Debra Howe is one of those rare individuals — a dear friend, a steadfast supporter, and a true partner in our mission at Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center,” Helton said by email Wednesday.
The Virginia Health Care Foundation, a public-private partnership that works to increase access to health care for uninsured and underserved residents, is also supporting the expansion of the dental center.
“We are delighted to invest in expanding access to essential dental care in Southwest Virginia through the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center,” said Rachel Rees, chief executive officer of the foundation. “Too many Virginians suffer needlessly from preventable oral health issues, and this expansion will help more people get the care they need.”
