The Jefferson County Health Department will shift its dental program to focus exclusively on children starting Friday, June 27. The adult Smiles to Go dental van will stop offering services after that date.
This change follows a review of how best to use limited resources amid ongoing staffing and scheduling challenges, the department said in a statement.
Melissa Parmeley, clinic services manager, explained that staffing levels have dropped to half of what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. The department currently has one dentist, two hygienists, a dental assistant, a supervisor, and a billing/front desk associate. Recruiting new staff has been difficult.
“Running both pediatric and adult mobile dental programs has become unsustainable,” the Health Department said. It added that adult dental care is now available through Compass Health and other local providers, which helps cover the need for adult services in the county.
The Senior Smiles To Go van will continue to serve existing adult patients with cleanings, fillings, extractions, emergency visits, and denture adjustments until Thursday, June 26. However, no new adult patients have been accepted since 2023, Parmeley confirmed.
Executive Director Steve Sikes said the shift will help the department meet community needs more effectively while managing resources wisely. “By focusing on our strengths and partnering with other providers, we can ensure everyone receives the care they need without duplicating services,” he said.
Sikes added that the new focus on children will allow stronger collaboration with local school districts and expand dental services to new educational settings. This will support preventive oral health care for children across Jefferson County.
Parmeley mentioned plans to extend the youth program to summer school, early childhood centers, and summer community events.
In 2024, the dental program served 617 patients — 409 were children, and 208 were adults. The Health Department has not yet provided data on the number of patients served so far this year.
