After doing volunteer dentistry in third-world countries, our founder Dr. Tom Underwood realized that there were hardworking people right here in Middle Tennessee that were in just as desperate need of dental care but could not afford it. With the help of the Nashville Dental Society and the Outreach Commission of West End United Methodist Church, Dr. Underwood initiated Interfaith Dental Clinic in November 1994 to provide affordable dental care for working poor families and the elderly who fall between the cracks of private practice and public healthcare.
The clinic started with a two-chair operation and one employee in the basement of West End United Methodist Church. In 1998, Interfaith Dental Clinic moved to 1721 Patterson Street and in 2012 opened a satellite clinic in Murfreesboro to serve the Rutherford County community. In 2019, the clinic expanded and moved into its current location at 600 Hill Avenue. The clinics have 26 operatories and state-of-the-art equipment.
Oral health is vital to a persons overall well-being. There is a well-established relationship between gum disease, heart disease and stroke. A dental exam can save someones life, as it can detect the first signs of oral cancer, AIDS, diabetes, drug use and domestic violence. However, oral healthcare is often overlooked.
