KINGSPORT, Tenn. — As part of its commitment to supporting access to dental care and oral health resources across the state, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee presented a check for $250,000 to the Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands during a luncheon held Oct. 31 at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.
“Dental and oral health is a key component of overall wellbeing, and we know the need for affordable, high-quality services is significant not only in northeast Tennessee, but across the state,” said Scott Pierce, executive vice president and chief operating officer for BlueCross.
“This clinic will provide greater access to care for the people and communities we serve, and we’re honored to support those efforts.”
BlueCross Board Member Miles Burdine, who currently serves as president and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, and BlueCross executive vice president and COO Scott Pierce presented the gift for the under-construction facility to Dr. Jay Ragain, dean of the school of dentistry for the UT Health Science Center and Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull.
Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands is the result of a public-private partnership aimed at expanding access to oral health care services in the region and providing training opportunities for dental students. Scheduled to open in mid-2024, the clinic is a collaboration between the City of Kingsport, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Ballad Health, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), and others.
About BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.4 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and has brought peace of mind to its members and local communities for more than 75 years. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com or visit the company’s website at bcbst.com.