Sentara partnership helps expand life-changing dental care in southwest Virginia
Dental Hygienist Emily Slemp, RDH
Oral health is far more than a smile; it’s a gateway to overall health. Untreated gum disease and tooth decay are linked to serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, depression and even Alzheimer’s.
The Appalachian Highlands Dental Center is closing that gap in Southwest Virginia, where uninsured and underinsured people may go years without proper access to dental care. With support from a Sentara Cares grant, the clinic is expanding access to dental care and giving patients a reason to smile again.
A growing need in a dental desert
The Appalachian Highlands Dental Center is in Abingdon, VA, the heart of rural Southwest Virginia. Due to a low dentist-to-population ratio, the area is known as a “dental desert.” Access to dental care is also often limited by social drivers (determinants) of health, such as geography, income, transportation and insurance status.
“Some of our patients don’t have reliable transportation,” explains Elaine Smith, Appalachian Highlands Dental Center’s Executive Director. “Some are isolated and alone. Some are choosing between putting food on the table or going to the dentist, even when they’re in pain.”
Grant creates more capacity for appointments
Partnered with Johnston Memorial Hospital’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program, the center provides direct care and trains new dentists, with the goal of retaining them in the region.
The grant from Sentara helped the center to hire both Smith and Emily Slemp as a full-time dental hygienist. Working with team members, Smith has enhanced efficiency and created a structure that is now the cornerstone of the clinic’s workflow.
Slemp started with the clinic in early 2021 as a dental assistant. After completing dental hygiene school, she returned in 2024, drawn by the center’s mission and the strong sense of community among staff and patients.
“The demographic we work with is so appreciative,” shares Slemp. “It’s probably harder than private practice, and we see more patients, but it’s very rewarding.”
That appreciation shows up in heartfelt ways. Grateful patients have been known to bring gifts such as produce, fruit and canned vegetables from their gardens. These small gestures speak volumes about the relationships built between patients and staff.
Appalachian Highlands team members: (left to right) Taraney Singleton, RDH, Lauren Collins, RDH, Scott R. Miller, D.D.S, Emily Slemp, RDH
More than just fixing a smile
“of the most common things I hear from patients is the challenge of finding work or eating comfortably due to the condition of their teeth,” says Slemp.
Restoring a smile-whether through a simple cleaning, a filling, or complete dentures-can open the door to new opportunities. Slemp recounts a story of a patient who had struggled with substance abuse and needed extensive dental work.
Over time, the clinic gave him a complete dental makeover. When he returned to the clinic later for a routine cleaning, he shared that he had quit smoking and using drugs, found a job, and started a new relationship.
“It was the stepping stone he needed to change his life,” says Slemp.
Powering progress through partnership
The need for dental care in the region and Virginia is tremendous. The clinic serves uninsured patients from 14 counties in one of Virginia’s highest-need regions. Many patients travel at least two to three hours to receive care.
Nearly 83% of clinic patients are on Medicaid, and many live with overlapping challenges such as food insecurity, lack of transportation, or the difficult choice between medical care and daily expenses.
Hygiene is the first step for any dental appointment, and expanding the availability of dental hygiene appointments is at the grant’s core. Thanks to the grant funding, since October 2024, Slemp has served nearly 600 patients across 2400 visits. The position has also been sustained for two years, ensuring the clinic can provide continuity of care.
Focusing on prevention and looking ahead
The center focuses on both prevention and treatment. Hygienists visit schools to provide education and dental hygiene kits to prevent decay before it starts. For many children, this is their first lesson in brushing or flossing—lessons that could change the course of their health.
Appalachian Highlands Dental Center is no longer just responding to dental emergencies. With Sentara’s support, the center is building a sustainable care system and training the next generation of dental providers who understand the power of showing up for those who need it most.
“When you help someone get out of pain and feel good about themselves again, that’s everything,” says Slemp.
