UAMS Dental Clinic Getting $2M in Support from Delta Dental
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 29, 2013
A dental clinic under construction at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock is getting $2-million from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation.
The UAMS Oral Health Clinic, where plans include starting the only dental residency program in Arkansas, will allow dental school graduates to complete advanced dental education and hopefully continue their careers in the state.
The first five of the clinic's planned 18 individual treatment rooms are now open. In recognition of the $2 million total in support, which includes a $440,000 grant announced in 2012, UAMS will name the clinic the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Oral Health Clinic when planned expansion is complete in 2014.
"The strong support by the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has been critical to our ability to open this clinic and plan for the kind of facility we need to provide comprehensive care for our patients and host the dental residency program, which will have a wide-reaching effect on improving dental care in Arkansas," said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. "The clinic and residency program will improve access to dental health in our state."
The clinic is part of the UAMS Center for Dental Education, which is working toward accreditation for postgraduate residency programs in advanced general dentistry and oral surgery. It is planned that in 2014, when the clinic expansion is complete, the center can begin accepting dental residents who will provide dental care to patients in the clinic while gaining further clinical experience.
"Delta Dental of Arkansas strongly supports UAMS and its compelling vision for the future of dental care and education in Arkansas," said Ed Choate, president and chief executive officer. "The new state-of-the-art dental clinic and dental residency program will help ensure that the people of Arkansas will continue to receive the highest standard of patient care."
The clinic also will complement and enhance the UAMS dental hygiene program, which sees patients in an adjacent clinic. The two clinics will share some resources, improving the quality of experience dental hygiene students will receive.
Keith David Stillwell, D.D.S., who joined the UAMS faculty in 2012 as director of the clinical and residency programs in the Center for Dental Education, will provide dental care to patients in the clinic. Two dental assistants and a dental hygienist recently joined the clinic staff. Additional dentists are expected to join the faculty soon.
The Oral Health Clinic's hours of operation will be Monday from noon to 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Friday, 7:00 a.m. to noon.
To make a clinic appointment, call (501) 686-5733.
The clinic will offer comprehensive dental services including:
Delta Dental of Arkansas has been writing group dental insurance since 1982 and currently serves more than 1,000 participating Arkansas dentists, 2,900 employer groups and more than 1.7 million individuals. In addition to providing dental coverage, Delta Dental of Arkansas contributes more than $1 million each year to support programs designed to improve the oral health of Arkansans.
The UAMS Oral Health Clinic, where plans include starting the only dental residency program in Arkansas, will allow dental school graduates to complete advanced dental education and hopefully continue their careers in the state.
The first five of the clinic's planned 18 individual treatment rooms are now open. In recognition of the $2 million total in support, which includes a $440,000 grant announced in 2012, UAMS will name the clinic the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Oral Health Clinic when planned expansion is complete in 2014.
"The strong support by the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has been critical to our ability to open this clinic and plan for the kind of facility we need to provide comprehensive care for our patients and host the dental residency program, which will have a wide-reaching effect on improving dental care in Arkansas," said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. "The clinic and residency program will improve access to dental health in our state."
The clinic is part of the UAMS Center for Dental Education, which is working toward accreditation for postgraduate residency programs in advanced general dentistry and oral surgery. It is planned that in 2014, when the clinic expansion is complete, the center can begin accepting dental residents who will provide dental care to patients in the clinic while gaining further clinical experience.
"Delta Dental of Arkansas strongly supports UAMS and its compelling vision for the future of dental care and education in Arkansas," said Ed Choate, president and chief executive officer. "The new state-of-the-art dental clinic and dental residency program will help ensure that the people of Arkansas will continue to receive the highest standard of patient care."
The clinic also will complement and enhance the UAMS dental hygiene program, which sees patients in an adjacent clinic. The two clinics will share some resources, improving the quality of experience dental hygiene students will receive.
Keith David Stillwell, D.D.S., who joined the UAMS faculty in 2012 as director of the clinical and residency programs in the Center for Dental Education, will provide dental care to patients in the clinic. Two dental assistants and a dental hygienist recently joined the clinic staff. Additional dentists are expected to join the faculty soon.
The Oral Health Clinic's hours of operation will be Monday from noon to 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Friday, 7:00 a.m. to noon.
To make a clinic appointment, call (501) 686-5733.
The clinic will offer comprehensive dental services including:
- Crowns
- Dentures/partials
- Fillings
- Endodontic (root canal) therapy
- Implants
- Hygiene Services
- Whitening/Cosmetic Services
Delta Dental of Arkansas has been writing group dental insurance since 1982 and currently serves more than 1,000 participating Arkansas dentists, 2,900 employer groups and more than 1.7 million individuals. In addition to providing dental coverage, Delta Dental of Arkansas contributes more than $1 million each year to support programs designed to improve the oral health of Arkansans.
