BEVERLY, Ky. — The president of the University of Louisville and other Kentucky leaders are highlighting the importance of dental care. They visited the Red Bird dental clinic this week.

Red Bird partners with the University of Louisville to bring accessible dental care to rural counties in this area.

Kim Schatzel, UofL’s new president, toured the extended services and dental offices in the hollers of Manchester. She got a glimpse into how the site is helping underserved communities with limited resources and access.

Dr. Bill Collins has dedicated his skills to the clinic since 2016. He’s been one of the staff who’s watched the partnership grow with plans to stick around for more growth.

“When I came here, there were 9 operatories, now there’s only 5,” Collins said. “Each room is self-contained and puts purified air that goes in the room and exhausts and goes out.”

He said he’s been a part of some life-changing work.

“You should see some of the work that we’ve done with some of the girls here who are 30 years old, and now they can smile and nobody knows that they got dentures,” he recalled. “I’ve had [patients] as young as 12.”

UofL biology student Tyler Banks is a part of the group learning how to fix smiles. Students assist doctors and patients with care 2-3 days each week.  

“We are lucky enough to come down for a couple of days and we are usually partnered up with another student in our class,” Banks explained. “We are here able to work with the doctors here and be able to help the community.”

Schatzel and her team joined Kentucky senate president Robert Stivers, also visiting areas like Clay County High School, where inspiration for education is encouraged. 

“I also walked away with the fact that we got to work on dual enrollment, so I actually came away with some homework myself in terms of visiting the school and when I get back,” Schatzel said. 

She and the university hope they can continue to support people around the commonwealth.