Since 2011, Open Arms Children’s Health has cared for the dental needs of children across the Louisville community, particularly those for whom dental services are often difficult to access. While it serves all children in the community, the dental clinic at Open Arms specializes in providing quality dental care for children placed in foster care, children with autism spectrum disorder, children of refugees and children with medical complexity.

The UofL School of Dentistry will elevate the dental services provided at Open Arms Children’s Health to a higher level through expanded staffing and a full range of pediatric dental care. These services are supported by faculty, residents and students from a dental school ranked in the top 50 worldwide, according to the .

“This partnership is such a natural progression for the Home,” said Paul Robinson, Home of the Innocents president and CEO. “When our dental clinic first opened, UofL’s School of Dentistry was right there with us helping to make sure we could provide the best dental services to our community. We are very excited to welcome them back to our campus and look forward to working with them.”

“Clinics like this one are a win-win. They help meet the oral health needs of underserved populations, while also providing externship opportunities for dental students and residents,” said T. Gerard Bradley, dean of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. “Through these experiences, our students become not just more skilled, but also more compassionate. It takes both to be an outstanding dental provider.”

All other Home of the Innocents services will remain unchanged, including The Village Pharmacy, Kosair Charities Pediatric Convalescent Center, all on-campus and community-based Behavioral Health Services and The Aquatic Therapy Center.

Dr. T. Gerard Bradley, dean of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, joined WKCTC President Anton Reece and Carrie Hopper, dean of WKCTC’s Allied Health and Personal Services and dental assisting program coordinator, for the announcement today in Paducah.

A memorandum of understanding between UofL and WKCTC allows the dental school to operate the mutually beneficial dental clinic on the second floor of the Anderson Technical Building on the WKCTC campus.

Partnerships like the one with WKCTC provide dental services to communities, an essential component of UofL’s dental curricula, Bradley said.

“Our goal is to develop a network of community-based partner clinics in a variety of locations across Kentucky. These externship sites enhance our clinical curriculum while meeting the oral health needs of underserved populations,” he said.

Reece said the UofL/WKCTC partnership is historic. “We are excited to partner and collaborate with the University of Louisville School of Dentistry to provide needed dental services to the community and our region.”

“Collaboration with WKCTC strengthens our community engagement in the western part of Kentucky and we are proud to join with the college to establish a dental clinic in Paducah,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “The important work of the university is not only educating future health care professionals, but also teaching students to become culturally competent providers.” 

The clinic will have a full-time licensed dentist managed by ULSD, and will be a clinical learning site for fourth-year UofL dental students. WKCTC will provide dental assistants from its existing dental assisting program along with use of existing dental equipment and chairs.

“Having the opportunity for our dental assisting students to work with UofL dental students will provide valuable learning experiences,” said Hopper. “This collaboration will help serve the underinsured, underserved population in our service region. I am beyond excited to begin this partnership with UofL School of Dentistry.”

ULSD will provide expert dental oversight, supervision and management of the dental clinic operations, including the establishment of all dental fees, billing and collection.

UofL is engaged in a similar collaboration with the Red Bird Mission and Red Bird Clinic located in Beverly, Kentucky. Dental students work under the direction of a local dentist, providing the students an opportunity to treat patients in a rural community and culture. Students also rotate through similar externship sites in urban settings, including the Shawnee Dental Clinic located in an underserved area of Louisville.

“These experiences truly teach our students to become confident, compassionate dental providers,” Bradley said.