06/04/2026
Ohio Hills Health Centers (OHHC) in collaboration with the East Central Ohio ESC opened a comprehensive dental center and an Express Care to meet the health and dental needs of area residents. OHHC-St. Clairsville is located in ESC’s St. Clairsville facility, the ECO Center. The health and dental centers were made possible due to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s ongoing commitment to Ohio’s Appalachian communities. The Appalachian Community Grant funding was utilized to convert the upper levels of the ECO Center into medical and dental offices.
“The ECOESC is committed to expanding local and regional access to health and dental care and we know that Ohio Hills Health Centers will be an excellent partner to help us to meet our goals,” said Randy Lucas, Superintendent of the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center. “The ECOESC is glad to partner with OHHC by providing the space for their facility for their operations so that they can provide much needed dental services and primary health care services, particularly to students and the underserved in our area.”
Ohio Hills Health Centers is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center, whose mission is to provide affordable and accessible health, dental and behavioral health care for area residents. OHHC accepts patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. To ensure the health and dental services are accessible, OHHC accepts Medicaid, offers a patient discount program, and has a financial counselor available to better meet the needs of area residents. Dental services are by appointment, however the health center will accept walk-ins.
“The new OHHC-St. Clairsville is a school-linked facility, and an emphasis will be placed on granting access to area students, as well as the community. At OHHC we understand there is a direct correlation between a child’s health and academic achievement,” said Jeff Britton, CEO, OHHC. “We are establishing a health and dental center at the ECO Center to ensure that affordable health and dental care is available to all area residents.”
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus has provided oversight for this project in collaboration with the Appalachian Children Coalition. Both organizations are committed to improve children’s access to the health and dental care they need and have been a tremendous resource for this project. The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within the Ohio Department of Development.
The OHHC-St. Clairsville Dental Center will be staffed by Dr. Preshtha Mangla. Dental services will be offered five days a week 7:30 am-4:00 pm. The OHHC St. Clairsville Express Care will be open Monday-Friday from 7:30 am-4:00 pm and will initially be staffed by Shelby Jefferis, Nurse Practitioner, Miles Jefferis, Nurse Practitioner and Tracey Powell, Nurse Practitioner. For an appointment or additional information regarding dental or health services please call 740-239-6447. Walk-ins are welcome for the Express Care.
Photo: Dr. Preshtha Mangla, Dentist, and Shelby Jefferis, Nurse Practitioner, Miles Jefferis, Nurse Practitioner and Tracey Powell, Nurse Practitioner
