Dental clinic fills need in the community

Thanks to a partnership between Lawrence County and the state of Tennessee, patients are being served in a great facility with the latest and best dental equipment. A local contractor and skilled inmate labor renovated the 7,000 square foot area that is as comfortable and modern as any dentist’s office. The state provided equipment including a digital panoramic x-ray machine, a $50,000 investment that can capture a patient’s entire mouth in a single image and delivers a very small dose of radiation. It does this quickly and easily, a real benefit when the patient is a child.

Dr. Taylor King, one dental assistant, and one office assistant make up the team that will be serving patients on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Appointments can be set by calling 762-9406, and uninsured people with emergencies will be worked into the schedule as soon as possible. More clinic days and a third office bay can be outfitted with a dental chair and equipment if demand calls for it.

There has been a huge need for dental services at the local health department for years. Before today, uninsured patients with emergency situations had to try to squeeze in at the overloaded Maury County clinic, or travel even further to the next nearest in Fayetteville. Unfortunately, many that need these services have transportation issues as well.

Lawrence County Health Department Director Devin Toms and South Central Regional Dental Director Dr. Crystal Manners tell me our new clinic will not only take care of emergencies, but primary, preventative care for those who qualify. This includes patients under 21 who receive TennCare, CoverKids or are uninsured; expectant mothers; and diabetics who are referred through other Health Department programs.

Why the last two categories? Both tell us how the condition of our teeth affects our overall health.

According to Dr. Manners, diabetics are more prone to periodontal (gum) disease, and that makes it harder to control blood sugar levels. For expectant mothers, periodontal disease has been connected to complications including low birth weight and premature delivery. Information she provided states that “The mother's oral flora is transmitted to the newborn infant, and high counts of cavity causing bacteria in the mouth of the mother predisposes the infant to the development of cavities.”

It’s not just expectant mothers or diabetics who should be concerned with the condition of their teeth and gums. Bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and lead to heart disease, stroke, hardening of the arteries, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Breathing through these infections can cause respiratory problems including pneumonia.

To prevent those issues in your child’s future, take them to a dentist when they get their first tooth or are a year old, whichever comes first. A child whose initial experience in a dentist’s chair is associated with a toothache – pain – grows into an adult who avoids dental care.

Whether you qualify for services at our new clinic or not, it’s very important to take care of your teeth, and that includes regular visits to your dentist. Since we don’t have fluoridated water, it’s essential to get the fluoride treatments a dentist can provide and use products that have the ADA seal of approval.

Aside from the health benefits of good dental care, nice teeth send a positive message to those around us. I am excited about our new dental clinic and the benefits it brings to local residents and our community as a whole.