FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10th, 2026
Shawnee Health to Celebrate Opening of Children’s Dental Center in Marion, Illinois
Southern Illinois’s only Medicaid-accepting pediatric dental center opens its doors in September 2026, providing specialized care including treatment under general anesthesia; closer to home for families across the region.
Marion, IL – July 10th, 2026- Shawnee Health will celebrate the opening of its new Children’s Dental Center in Marion, Illinois with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026. The center is the only pediatric dental facility in Southern Illinois that accepts Medicaid, closing a longstanding gap in access to specialized dental care for children in the region.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
地點： 3115 Williamson County Pkwy, Marion, IL 62959
Made possible by a $2.5 million award from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, the center replaces our previous general dentistry clinic with a fully renovated, specialized pediatric facility serving children from birth through age 21. The center’s expanded footprint includes two dedicated treatment suites designed to meet a full range of pediatric oral health needs.
For years, families throughout the region needing pediatric dental care under anesthesia have had to travel long distances, some as far as Springfield and often face the added costs for transportation, lodging, and time away from work. The new center is expected to serve hundreds of children each month across Shawnee Health’s 19-county service area, helping reduce wait times and remove barriers to care for the region’s youngest patients.
“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.”
Shawnee Health treats children from more than half of Illinois’s counties and currently has nearly 200 children waiting for specialized dental care. The Children’s Dental Center is designed to directly access that need, offering timely, comprehensive services that improve lifelong oral health outcomes for children across southern Illinois.
The community is invited to join Shawnee Health for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating this milestone
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Shawnee Health is a nonprofit, federally qualified health center serving Southern Illinois since 1971. Our mission is to enhance lives by providing accessible and exceptional care to all. For more information or to stay updated on the progress of the project, visit Shawnee Health’s website at www.shawneehealth.com.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Throgmorton
Marketing Manager
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