Mountain Hope Clinic’s dental area is getting a sparkling new look, thanks to hard-working volunteers from a local bank and a grant from a dental insurance company.
Laurie Sullivan and six co-workers from BB&T rolled up their sleeves when the Clinic closed for the evening one Tuesday. They pulled off baseboards and set to work painting the rooms and corridor that comprise the dental area. Four of them returned the next day to add another coat of paint. By that Thursday, the rooms were back in use.
“This is the third year in a row we’ve been working for Mountain Hope,” said Laurie, who is the captain of BB&T’s Lighthouse Project. Employees in BB&T bank branches can choose their own projects, which are then approved and funded by the bank. Sevier County branches chose the Clinic and Sevier County Food Ministries for their projects this year.
Not only did the bank employees wield paintbrushes, they also donated an examination table and a urinalysis machine. Medical Assistant Teresa Large is particularly pleased with the new machine. “This machine’s easier to use and faster,” she said. A grant from Delta Dental’s Smile 180 Foundation is paying for the dental area renovation, which will also include much-needed new flooring. “Our clients in the community use the Clinic,” said Allison Hall, another of the BB&T painters. “We just helped kick (the renovation) off.”
In past years BB&T employees have supported the Clinic in several ways. Two years ago they donated a scanner that is being used to move the Clinic from paper to electronic records. Last year they donated a large, powerful shredder.
“The BB&T employees’ work on the dental area renovation will improve our dental patients’ experience,” said Ashley Burnette, the Clinic’s director of fund development. “We really appreciate everything that they have done for us.”
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