The students are working at the UofL Dental Clinic on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) under the guidance of full-time licensed dentist, Gregory Lord. Dental assisting program students at WKCTC also take part in clinical learning, alongside the dental students.

“I am truly excited about the opportunity to serve the dental needs in Paducah and the surrounding communities, as well as educating the University of Louisville dental students on the campus of WKCTC,” said Lord. “The UofL School of Dentistry, along with WKCTC, are here to keep our patients smiling.”

Reed, originally from Paducah, and Dunlap, a native of Los Angeles, will rotate into the clinic every four weeks.

Established with a memorandum of understanding between UofL and WKCTC in January 2020, the dental clinic allows students from both institutions to work together while providing services to residents of the Jackson Purchase region. The clinic, located on the second floor of WKCTC’s Anderson Technical Building, helps serve the underinsured, underserved populations.

UofL students also travel to other parts of Kentucky for unique clinical experiences, including 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 rotate through similar externship sites in urban settings, including the Shawnee Dental Clinic located in an underserved area of Louisville.

WKCTC contributed to this story.

Lord owned Lord Family Dental in Louisville for 10 years before joining the faculty at the UofL School of Dentistry, and practicing general dentistry at UofL Dental Associates. A graduate of the UofL School of Dentistry, Lord has been a dentist since 2004.

“We’re so excited this position has been filled,” said Carrie Hopper, dean of the allied health and personal services division at WKCTC. “I know with all that COVID-19 has delayed or canceled, people in our region have been concerned this partnership would not take place, but with the hiring of Dr. Lord, we know this project is moving in the right direction to start our dental clinic here at WKCTC.”

Officials from both schools the unique collaboration between UofL and WKCTC will allow students from both institutions to work together in a dental clinic, while providing services to residents of the Jackson Purchase region.

A memorandum of understanding between UofL and WKCTC allows the School of Dentistry to operate the mutually beneficial dental clinic on the second floor of the Anderson Technical Building at the WKCTC campus. T. Gerard Bradley, dean of the UofL School of Dentistry, says partnerships like these provide dental services to communities, and are an essential component of UofL’s dental curricula.

“We are so pleased to begin our outreach in the Paducah community through the hiring of Dr. Lord. He is a valuable member of our faculty, and his leadership and clinical expertise will help fulfill our educational mission and partnership with WKCTC,” Bradley said.

With a full-time licensed dentist overseeing the operation, the clinic will serve as 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. UofL will provide expert dental oversight, supervision and management of the dental clinic operations, including the establishment of all dental fees, billing and collection.

The UofL School of Dentistry 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.

Lord will first work to set up the clinic and hire a clinic manager and assistant. Officials expect to have the clinic setup and ready to serve patients by early spring. 

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.