Healing Hands Health and UTHSC College of Dentistry Celebrate 10-Year Partnership Advancing Community Oral Health
Bristol, TN — Healing Hands Health and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Dentistry proudly mark a decade of collaboration dedicated to expanding oral health access and education across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Since 2015, the partnership has provided 580 UTHSC dental students with hands-on clinical experience while expanding care for underserved populations. Typically, four students at a time travel from Memphis to Bristol for two week rotations, gaining exposure to community-supported dentistry in a faith-based setting. Healing Hands provides overnight stays at no charge to the students. In 2023, the community provided generous donations through a capital campaign, to build a state of the art dormitory across the street from the clinic.
“What drew me to Healing Hands and UTHSC was their deep commitment to making this rotation site exceptional for students,” said Healing Hands Health’s site Preceptor, Mark Schlothauer, DDS, Associate Professor at UTHSC and staff dentist at Healing Hands. “When students travel across the state from Memphis to Bristol to serve here, they’re met with a clinic that’s modern, welcoming, and deeply committed to community care. That experience— especially treating Veterans and underserved patients—makes their journey worthwhile. This partnership shows that oral health care matters in every corner of Tennessee—and that our students are part of something bigger than themselves.”
Students currently rotating through the clinic describe the experience as transformative:
“My experience at Healing Hands was challenging and fulfilling at the same time,” said Reagan, a fourth-year dental student. “This is the first point in my education that I’ve felt like I could truly provide care to patients and make a positive impact. Many of the patients were so appreciative and made the rotation experience enjoyable. It’s shown me how dentistry can truly change lives.”
The collaboration has also led to long-term career pathways. Four former students, who rotated through the clinic, have joined the Healing Hands team after graduation, including Dr. Michael Fuchs, who completed his rotation in 2019.
“My time here as a student inspired me to return as a provider,” said Dr. Fuchs. “The clinic’s mission aligns perfectly with my values as a dentist.”
Dr. Orpheus Triplett, Assistant Dean of Community Oral Health and Outreach at UTHSC College of Dentistry in Memphis, emphasized the broader impact:
“For us, community outreach goes beyond the boundaries of city and county, and in this case extends across the State. Our mission is to educate students; increase access to care for those in need; and increase the visibility of UT Health Science Center College of Dentistry throughout the State. Healing Hands has partnered with us in achieving each of those goals. Over the past ten years, this collaboration has significantly enriched our students’ clinical education, social awareness, and commitment to service. Moving forward, our goal is to build upon the foundation that has been laid and, where possible, expand our presence. We plan to continue nurturing our relationship and strengthening our efforts in service to the residents of the region.”
As the partnership enters its second decade, both organizations remain committed to expanding services, enhancing student training, and deepening their shared mission of equitable oral health care.
About Healing Hands Health:
Healing Hands Health provides affordable, community supported care that allows individuals with limited insurance coverage to restore their quality of life. Qualified residents of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia can receive supportive, medical, mental health, dental, and vision care-typically for $50 or less at each routine visit, including diagnostic testing.
About UTHSC College of Dentistry:
As the statewide, public, academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) trains the next generation of health care providers for Tennessee, cares for the people from one end of the state to the other and researches the cures for the diseases that most affect all who call Tennessee home.
Media Contact: Healing Hands Health Jodi Kemple Director of Marketing & Communications jodi@healinghandshealth.org 423-573-4327