BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WBRC) – The American Dental Association ranks Alabama 51st in the nation for access to dental care, and the UAB School of Dentistry wants to change that ranking.

The school administration wants to open more dental clinics near rural and moderately urban areas of the state.

They have already opened a clinic in Dothan and are now considering a new satellite clinic in Decatur.

The goal is to complete the opening by 2026, pending approval by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.

The clinic offers comprehensive dental care such as preventative examinations, cleanings, therapies and more.

If this succeeds, more clinics could be built.

The dean of UAB’s dental school says the need is real, and this would help both the community and students.

“Many patients do not have dental insurance and have a hard time affording treatment in the current model. We also have the problem that there are no dentists in many areas of the state,” said Nicolaas Geurs, the school’s dean. “We are trying to solve this problem by increasing enrollment at our school, but also by giving our students the opportunity to practice in the community or learn how to practice in the community with these community-based clinics.”

UAB is grateful for the state’s support in this endeavor.

The WBRC was informed that the State of Alabama would fund this project.

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