‘This has been a long time coming’- Penny Etter, COO of Community Health of East Tennessee

TOP PHOTO: Dentists Dr. David Childers (left) and Dr. Tyler Meister are accepting new patients at CHET’s state-of-the-art facility.

Left to right are Penny Etter, COO, Tina LeMarr, Dental Assistant, Dr. Tyler Meister, dentist, Dr. David Childers, dentist, Sharon Slover, front office manager, and not pictured is Karen Marshall, Dental Hygienist

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The ability to provide patients with quality dental care has all come together for Community Health of East Tennessee, CHET. “We went on a mad search for a dentist, and ended up finding two,” said CHET’s CEO Teresa Dabney.

Dr. David Childers, on staff since October 2023, has been practicing dentistry for 45 years. The University of Tennessee-Memphis graduate is joined by University of Kentucky alum Dr. Tyler Meister who has been practicing for more than five years and joined Dr. Childers in December.

Dr. Tyler Meister shows off one the exam rooms.

New patients are now being accepted. “The patient load is picking up, and even though it is, walk-ins are still welcome,” said Dr. Meister, who prefers a heads up if you plan on walking in (423.562.1705 X1091).

“Dental care is added to the long list of services CHET provides,” said Missy Tackett, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism on hand for the ribbon cutting.

“They have all this great equipment and had no one to work it. I was lucky to get going here. It’s been good,” said Dr. Childers. The veteran dentist, who could easily be retired, doesn’t want to quit when he can work with such wonderful people. “It’s good to work with a lot of young folks here,” said Dr. Childers.

An upside to joining CHET is that Dr. Meister didn’t have to move from his Speedwell home. “I really want to help the community and serve such a neglected population,” said Dr. Meister, who was born at Knoxville. At about age 10, his family moved to Harlan, Kentucky, where he graduated from Harlan City High School. Dr. Meister is excited for this opportunity and looks forward to helping as many as people as possible, because there are not enough providers to meet the need.

Dr. Tyler Meister snips the ribbon signaling the official opening of the CHET Dental Wing.

“It’s one tiny step at a time, and I think it’s so wonderful to work with Tyler (Dr. Meister),” said Dr. Childers.

“I’m so glad we’ve got this started. The underserved really need this, because the lack of dental care is due to the numbers. I wish the best for CHET in its dental care wing, and like I always say, CHET is one of Campbell County’s hidden gems,” said Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch.

Refreshments were served including cookies shaped like a tooth.

CHET accepts Adult TennCare, has a sliding fee and takes commercial insurance. CHET’s two dentists and the dental team are seeing patients Monday through Thursday from 7:30am until 5pm and are located on the second floor of the CHET building on Independence Lane. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/30/2025-6AM)

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