HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — August 21, 2026 — For many parents, taking a child to the dentist is a routine part of growing up. But for families whose children have extensive dental disease, developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, or special health care needs, receiving dental treatment can be incredibly challenging. Across West Virginia, many children who require specialized dental care face significant barriers to treatment which can delay care for months and affect the child’s overall health, school attendance, and quality of life.
Recognizing these longstanding obstacles, Valley Health opened its new Advanced Dental Care Suite at Valley Health – East Huntington located at 85 Donahoe Drive, Huntington, West Virginia. This dedicated clinical space will enhance Valley Health’s ability to care for patients whose dental needs may require additional clinical resources, specialized equipment, or a more individualized approach to treatment. Valley Health will use the Dental Care suite for nitrous cases for children under the direction of Dr. Megan Coburn and Dr. Joanna Kowatli. Future goals for the Advanced Dental Care suite include providing deeper sedation in the future.
“The Advanced Dental Care Suite represents an investment in our patients and in the future of dental care in our region. By strengthening the resources available to our dental teams, we can continue working toward reducing barriers and creating more opportunities for children and families to receive the care they need closer to home,” said Dr. Andrea Kelly, Valley Health Dental Section Chief.
The Advanced Dental Care Suite is a shared commitment and partnership between Valley Health and the West Virginia Department of Health’s Oral Health Program with funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The impact of improving access extends far beyond oral health. Timely dental treatment can help relieve pain, restore the ability to eat and sleep comfortably, improve school attendance, reduce avoidable emergency department visits, and support a child’s overall health and well-being. Increasing access closer to home can also ease the burden on parents and caregivers who may otherwise face long travel distances, missed work, and significant challenges navigating specialized healthcare services.
Dr. Mathew Weimer, Valley Health President and CEO remarked, “At its heart, the Advanced Dental Care Suite is about more than a new clinical space or equipment. It is about building capacity and creating opportunities for children and families to receive needed dental care within their communities. It reflects Valley Health’s mission to improve the health of the communities it serves and demonstrates what is possible when healthcare organizations and public health partners work together to address complex healthcare challenges.”
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive without the burden of untreated dental disease. Expanding access to specialized pediatric oral healthcare remains a long-term challenge, but meaningful progress begins with collaboration, vision, and a commitment to serving those who need care most. Through the Advanced Dental Care Suite and the partnerships that helped make it possible, Valley Health is building a stronger foundation for the future of children’s oral health in West Virginia.
Find out more about the Advanced Dental Care Suite and Valley Health’s Dental services at valleyhealth.org.