A new dental school and clinic planned by Temple University in Tamaqua has received a vital financial boost of $2 million in federal funding. This funding is crucial for the establishment of the Temple University Tamaqua Dental Clinic and Education Center, which aims to open in time for the fall semester of 2026. The facility will occupy the former Rite Aid building on Center Street, providing much-needed dental care to underserved communities in the region.
The clinic will initially host 10 dental students, expanding to 20 by 2027. It aims to address the significant shortage of dental professionals in rural areas of Pennsylvania. According to project officials, many residents in Tamaqua currently struggle to find dentists accepting new patients, resulting in long travel times or extended waiting periods for essential dental services.
Addressing a Critical Need
The initiative has garnered support from local organizations, including the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership. Executive Director Micah Gursky noted that the partnership applied for federal funding two years ago, emphasizing the project’s importance for the community. Dr. Amid Ismail, Dean of Temple’s Kornberg School of Dentistry, described the center as a historic step toward improving dental access in rural Pennsylvania.
“The new education center and clinic will test a new model of addressing access to dental care in rural Pennsylvania, where students live and study in a rural community for two years,” said Ismail. The students will reside in free, fully furnished apartments, gaining practical experience while treating underserved patients. This approach not only aims to enhance their educational experience but also encourages graduates to practice in rural areas like Tamaqua.
The clinic will feature 24 chairs dedicated to providing dental care exclusively for Medicaid-eligible patients and low-income individuals in Pennsylvania. It will charge low fees for services not covered by the Pennsylvania Medicaid Assistance program, ensuring that cost remains a barrier for those in need.
Support from Local Legislators
The federal funding was secured through agriculture appropriations legislation signed into law in mid-November. Local legislators have played a crucial role in advancing the project. Congressman Dan Meuser helped secure the federal funding, while State Senator Dave Argall and State Representative Jamie Barton were instrumental in obtaining state support. Both Argall and Barton have lauded the initiative as a significant step forward for rural healthcare in northeastern Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania is in desperate need of dentists and dental hygienists in our rural counties,” Barton commented. Argall highlighted the dire situation, stating, “When we held a Senate hearing in Tamaqua, we heard heartbreaking testimony about families driving hours just to find basic dental care.”
A report from the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health indicates a stark disparity in dental care availability, noting that for every 15 dentists in urban areas, there is only one in rural regions. This gap is exacerbated by the concentration of dental schools in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which limits opportunities for students from rural backgrounds.
The coalition’s analysis reveals that Pennsylvania requires an additional 2,000 dentists, 7,000 dental hygienists, and 10,000 expanded function dental assistants to ensure adequate dental care for its residents. Without regular dental checkups, many individuals eventually face emergencies that necessitate visits to emergency rooms.
The Tamaqua clinic not only aims to provide immediate care but also seeks to develop a pipeline of dental professionals who will remain in or return to rural communities. Gursky expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact, stating, “It’s a different mindset. I think this changes how we think of ourselves. It’s a very innovative, exciting thing for us to be part of.”
This development promises to transform the dental landscape in Tamaqua, addressing a critical need while fostering a new generation of dental professionals committed to serving rural areas.
