June 11, 2015

Vanderbilt Dental Clinic adds staff, expands services

The Vanderbilt Dental Clinic is expanding its range of services and growing its number of clinicians in a bid to offer patients the convenience of having access to comprehensive oral health care in one location.

Julie Rezk, DMD, and Tyler Ames, DMD, at the Vanderbilt Dental Clinic, which is expanding its range of services and increasing the number of clinicians. (photo by Susan Urmy)

The Vanderbilt Dental Clinic is expanding its range of services and growing its number of clinicians in a bid to offer patients the convenience of having access to comprehensive oral health care in one location.

The clinic in recent months hired a new dentist and invested in new state-of-the-art dental equipment.

Tyler Ames, DMD, assistant professor of Clinical Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, joined the clinic in December and specializes in a range of services, including cosmetic dentistry, implants and performing periodontal surgery.

Ames, who came to Vanderbilt after completing a dental residency at Medical College of Virginia, joins Julie Rezk, DMD, assistant professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, at the clinic.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Vanderbilt Dental team,” Ames said. “The Vanderbilt Dental Clinic takes pride in maintaining the highest standard of care and comfort.”

Ames earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine in 2012.

Rezk, who joined Vanderbilt in 2008, earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.

In addition to general restorative dentistry and routine cleanings, the clinic is offering a full range of services, including root canals, implants and teeth whitening. Patients of all ages will be seen at the clinic.

“Dr. Ames brings to the VUMC Dental Clinic an enthusiasm for providing comprehensive dental care including the provision of a number of services that formerly required a referral outside the Medical Center,” said Samuel McKenna, M.D., DDS, chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. “These services can now be provided on campus.”

McKenna said the clinic offers new and existing Vanderbilt patients oral health services aligned with the care they receive throughout VUMC.

“Both Drs. Rezk and Ames recognize the importance of oral health in general health and are dedicated to caring for our patients who require medically necessary dental care,” McKenna said. “This care may take the form of creating optimal oral health for the patient awaiting a solid organ transplant, to the cancer patient who requires close longitudinal oral care following head and neck radiation therapy.”

The Vanderbilt Dental Clinic is located at The Village at Vanderbilt at 1500 21st Ave. South.