College of Dental Health Updates

Welcome Dr. Jill Keaton

With an extensive educational and private practice background, Jill Keaton, DMD, MS, joined the College of Dental Medicine as associate dean of clinical affairs.

After serving as the coordinator for Big Sandy Community and Technical College dental hygiene, dental assisting and community dental health programs, Keaton understands the benefit of increased access to dental care in Eastern Kentucky.

“We know that many individuals in this area have barriers toward accessing care. UPIKE will play a wonderful role in helping to address those barriers by training a workforce to treat patients in rural areas,” said Keaton. “Itʼs really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of something this big. An initiative to create a dental school is just an amazing feat, and I think it will have a tremendous impact on the region.”

With plans to begin accepting students in 2025, UPIKE’s College of Dental Medicine has found its home in downtown Pikeville.

Located steps away from the bottom of the historic 99 steps on Caroline Avenue, the site will allow the program and its students to enjoy the closeness and support of campus. The building that housed newspaper offices and printing presses for Appalachian News Express Inc. (ANE) grants proper space for the college’s innovative and high-tech plans.

“We saw a need to help both the university and the city grow,” said ANE Publisher Jeff Vanderbeck. “The anticipation of more than 250 students and staff to become part of the community requires a lot of space. This arrangement is great for us, the city and the university, and secures and solidifies our ongoing relationship.”

The dental college is the fourth healthcare college on UPIKE’s campus, joining the College of Nursing and Human Services, Kentucky College of Optometry and Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. The future of the dental college will include residency programs to meet the needs of the Appalachian region, such as pediatric dentistry and advanced general practice residencies, allowing students to become innovative leaders in the profession of dentistry as well as in the broader healthcare system.