The University of Alabama at Birmingham could very soon be opening a new ‘state-of-the-art’ satellite dental clinic in the city of Decatur. The school is hoping that the location, which would open its doors in 2026, will help to serve residents in more rural parts of North Alabama who may not have access to consistent dental health care.
The Decatur clinic will be responsible for recruiting, educating, training, and also working to retain dentists. It is now pending the approval of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
Nicolaas Geurs, DDS, dean of UAB’s School of Dentistry, revealed the main factor causing the lack of dental care in many areas and also thanked the elected officials working to make the clinic a reality.
“It is no secret that there is a shortage of dental health providers in rural and moderately urban locations in our state,” said Geurs.
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“It is critical that we continue to find ways to close those gaps, the way we did in Dothan earlier this year and now as we plan to do in Decatur. Our mission at the UAB School of Dentistry is to help optimize oral health care in Alabama. We are grateful to Governor Ivey, Senator Orr, and the Alabama Legislature for their support on this project and what it will mean for the people of north Alabama.”
“Oral health is a vital component of overall well-being and essential to the general health and quality of life across an individual’s life span. We work hard to place our patients and their families at the center of healthcare decisions to get the best patient care outcomes we can. We look forward to doing that in Decatur in the near future.”
State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) represents the district where the clinic will be located.
“The collaboration between the state and UAB underscores our collective dedication to tackling the dental crisis in Alabama,” said Orr.
“I’m confident this clinic will play a crucial role in delivering essential dental care to residents of Decatur and the surrounding region. Thank you to Decatur Morgan Hospital for their willingness to host this clinic in their facilities and thereby further improve health care in the area.”
The Decatur clinic is expected to serve a variety of dental needs, treat patients of all ages, and provide preventive care, basic periodontal therapy, and restorative treatments. The clinic is also expected to offer emergency dental care for root canals, extractions, and chipped or broken teeth — all using state-of-the-art technology. It will be staffed by UAB School of Dentistry faculty, along with residents and dental students.
Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Parkway Campus will house the clinic. Funding for the project will be provided by the State of Alabama.
The American Dental Association ranks Alabama 51st in the country for access to dental care, with 71 percent of Alabama’s counties experiencing a dental care shortage.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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