Last Wednesday, Kingsport marked a significant advancement in dental education and healthcare with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of its new Kingsport Dental Clinic. The event, attended by a blend of city and state officials and educational representatives, ushered in a new era for dental care in the Appalachian Highlands. According to the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, the facility has 12 treatment rooms and is supported by $1.6 million in state-of-the-art equipment.

The new 6,500-square-foot clinic is poised to become a pivotal training ground for dental students quickly. The clinic is strategically located near the Holston Valley Medical Center and is set to serve as a full-time advanced education residency in General Dentistry. The facility will open its doors to students in September and plans to expand student clinical rotation sites as a part of the UT College of Dentistry's Healthy Smiles Initiative.

Several speakers, including Sen. Jon Lundberg and University of Tennessee Health Science Center Chancellor Peter Buckley, graced the ribbon-cutting event. Also on the attendee list were Phil Wenk of Delta Dental, Kingsport City Manager Chris McCartt, and Mayor Pat Shull. Their combined presence underscored the collaborative effort that has gone into developing this clinic.

The path to the clinic's establishment traces back to early planning that began in October 2022, involving an alliance among public universities, private corporations, and community leaders. This ambitious project saw significant financial backing earlier in the year when the State of Tennessee earmarked a generous $6.5 million budget for the clinic.