Shawnee Health Awarded $2.5 Million from Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation to Establish State-of-the-Art Pediatric Dental Center in Marion
Marion, IL — Shawnee Health is proud to announce it has been awarded $2.5 million from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) to create a new Pediatric Dental Center in Marion, Illinois. This transformative project will replace Shawnee Health’s current general dentistry clinic at the Marion location with a fully renovated, specialized pediatric facility designed to serve children from birth through age 21.
The new Pediatric Dental Center will feature an expanded footprint, including both clinical and general anesthesia treatment areas, enabling Shawnee Health to meet the complex oral health needs of children across its 19-county service area. The facility will be equipped with brand new, state-of-the-art dental technology, ensuring the highest standard of pediatric oral healthcare.
Key components of the project include:
- Construction and Renovation: Addition to the current building and complete transformation of the existing dental clinic into a dedicated pediatric care space.
- Advanced Equipment: Installation of the latest dental technology and tools to support preventive, restorative, and anesthesia-based care.
- Expanded Team: Hiring and training an additional pediatric dentist and two dental assistant apprentices during the second year of the practice’s opening to increase capacity and reduce wait times.
- Regional Outreach: Implementation of targeted outreach strategies to connect children throughout southern Illinois to critical oral healthcare services.
Once complete, the Shawnee Pediatric Dental Center will play a vital role in improving access to care, particularly for children who require specialized treatment under general anesthesia. The center’s expanded capabilities will allow Shawnee Health to provide timely, comprehensive dental services, helping reduce barriers to care and improve lifelong oral health outcomes.
“This investment from ILCHF allows us to create a facility that not only meets the dental needs of our youngest patients today but also sets the stage for healthier futures across our communities,” said Di Riley, Chief Director of Clinical Services. “We are deeply grateful for ILCHF’s commitment to improving children’s health in Illinois.”
“ILCHF, guided by our vision that every child in Illinois grows up healthy, is proud to partner with Shawnee Health on this vital opportunity to expand access to oral healthcare for children across Southern Illinois,” said Heather Higgins Alderman, President & CEO of the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. “This partnership is not only about building a new facility, but also about ensuring that thousands of children have timely access to the specialized oral health services they need and deserve.”
Construction is set to begin Fall 2025, with completion expected in September 2026. Shawnee Health will share updates and images as the project progresses.
All general dentists that have been practicing out of the Marion location will be relocated to Shawnee Health’s General Dentistry location at 402 S. Lewis Lane in Carbondale, Illinois.
Media Contact:
Alex Hansen
Marketing Manager
Shawnee Health
(618)956-9570
ahansen@shsdc.org