Bringing smiles: Sarrell officials stand in front of the building, the old home of the county’s food assistance center off Jasper Dennis Road, that will house a center to provide dental service to underserved children. Pictured are Dotty Herring, chief technology officer; Emily Wasyluka, who will be the Clanton branch’s business unit manager; and Yessiret White, business unit manager for the Heflin branch.

Chilton County residents will soon have a reason to smile more.

Sarrell Dental, a non-profit organization that provides dental care for underserved children, is opening an office on Jasper Dennis Road, in the facility formerly occupied by the food assistance office.

“We’re looking to serve the children of that area,” said Brandi Parris, chief marketing officer for Sarrell.

The organization provides dental care specifically for those ages 1-20 with Medicaid or ALL-Kids insurance. Parris said this demographic can have problems being treated at typical dentist offices.

The local office is scheduled to open on Sept. 27.

Clanton will be Sarrell’s ninth location, joining Athens, Boaz, Bessemer, Leesburg, Heflin, Talladega, Enterprise and Anniston, where the company’s headquarters is located.

“We have grown quite a bit in the past five years,” Parris said.

Parris said Sarrell officials analyze an area being considered for a new branch, determining how many underserved children are present.

“If there is not a provider in an area, we will come in and take care of the problem.”

The office would be open at least four days a week, likely from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature up-to-date dental equipment—and flat screen TVs to keep children occupied while waiting on their appointment.

“It’s a real child-friendly environment,” Parris said.

Parris said county residents can also look for Sarrell to work to educate local children on dental health, visiting schools, Head Start centers and daycares—and even offering free dental screenings at these locations.

Sarrell operates solely on Medicaid and ALL-Kids funding, and does not accept donations.
For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.sarrelldental.org.