Our Work
Southwest Virginia is a dental desert.
A region with a shortage of dental health care provider.
That’s why we’re helping bring talented providers to the area.
Along with our mission to provide dental care to those with limited resources, AHCDC is creating a pipeline of future dentists committed to serving across the region.
Through our partnership with Johnston Memorial Hospital’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program, AHCDC is a training and education hub for dentists completing their residency programs.
This year, 29 dentists will have trained and graduated from the AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) program, and of those graduates, eight have chosen to practice in Southwest Virginia.
We’re creating partnerships for good.
Through partnerships with schools, community colleges, Job Corps programs, hospitals, emergency departments, free clinics, and social service agencies, we bring together a network of care dedicated to providing preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic dental services to those who are uninsured or underinsured.
In addition to general care, AHCDC collaborates with local organizations to serve as a critical safety net for patients in recovery programs or facing issues related to addiction, homelessness, or abuse.
Services Provided By Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center
- Professional teeth cleaning to maintain good oral health
- Tooth sealant applied to help prevent tooth decay
- Bonding to repair small chips or cracks
- Crown and bridge work to replace lost tooth structure and missing teeth
- Porcelain veneers to repair large chips and cracks, and reshape teeth
- Dental implants, the longest-lasting tooth replacement available today
- Fillings to make teeth strong and healthy
- Blood pressure screenings as part of a regular standard of care
- Oral cancer screenings to detect disease at a curable stage
- Periodontal (gum) disease therapy to prevent tooth loss
- Removable dentures following major tooth loss or removal
- Root canal treatment to save infected teeth
- Teeth whitening to brighten faded or discolored teeth
- Extraction for when a tooth is decayed or beyond repair
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body
Poor dental health doesn’t just affect your smile—it can impact your heart, your immune system, and your overall well-being. Quality dental care is crucial for a happier, healthier life.
Oral health is linked to cardiac health, as mouth bacteria and inflammation can affect the heart.
Missing or compromised teeth can lead to a restricted diet that causes poor nutrition and poor digestion.
Poor oral health can cause discomfort, leading to withdrawal, isolation, and depression.
Poor oral health can negatively impact social and professional interactions.
“I see the number of patients in the community in need of oral health care growing every year. So many people are hurting and in need and praying for some hope. We can give them that hope when we restore their smiles. It will give them confidence, they’ll be able to enter the workforce again, and they’ll be out of pain. My vision is to see that number reduce because of the support this dental center can provide.”
Dr. Scott Miller, DDS, Site Director
Fill the Gap in Dental Care
Your generosity brings relief, dignity, and healthy smiles to individuals in need across Southwest Virginia.