With dental clinics flourishing, MIHS meets need, welcomes A.T. Still University Dental School graduate

Steven Richardson, D.M.D excited to be practicing at Arizona's only public health system

MIHS Press Release
August 7, 2007

Maricopa Integrated Health System is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Steven Richardson, an A.T. Still University's (ATSU) Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health graduate.

"We are proud to have Dr. Richardson working with us at MIHS," said Dr. John Chen, MIHS dental director and adjunct Professor at ATSU's Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. "I'm glad he decided to practice in Arizona."

Dr. Chen believes Richardson's presence at MIHS' Dental Clinic located at 24th and Roosevelt streets in Phoenix at the Comprehensive Health Center means the patients who depend on MIHS for their dental needs will have yet another asset in their health care toolbox. Last year more than 25,500 people utilized MIHS' full range of dental services.

Maricopa County's burgeoning population means that dentists like Richardson -- a member of ATSU's inaugural dental class -- are addressing one of the state's primary health care needs. Currently statistics indicate that there is one dentist in Arizona for every 2,520 residents; only six states have a lower ratio. That's why Dr. Chen believes the ATSU's Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health changes Arizona's health care landscape.

"As Arizona's first and only dental school, ATSU is providing a much-needed service to Arizona residents," Dr. Chen said. "They are truly meeting a need in our community."

As for Dr. Richardson, he said he's happy to be working at Arizona's only public health system. "I am excited to begin my dental career at MIHS and become a resource in the community for dental public health issues," he said. "MIHS is committed to keeping the community healthy and so am I. Oral health is vital to your overall health."

While Dr. Richardson practices at MIHS' Comprehensive Health Center, the health system has dental clinics throughout Maricopa County that. MIHS practices medicine where it matters most to its patients; in their neighborhood. A complete list of MIHS dental clinics can be found on the Web at www.mihs.org.

About Maricopa Integrated Health System - Maricopa Integrated Health System is headquartered in the heart of Phoenix. The cornerstone of the system is Maricopa Medical Center (MMC), a major teaching hospital with a history dating back more than 100 years. Best known for its critical care services, the hospital offers Level One trauma and intensive care for adults, babies and children. Two in-patient psychiatric care centers with nearly 200 beds provide services in behavioral medicine. The nation’s second largest burn treatment facility, the Arizona Burn Center, located on the main hospital campus, treats more than 800 patients per year. Eleven family health care centers are located throughout the Valley, providing primary and specialty care ranging from well baby to HIV-AIDS patient services. For more information about MIHS, visit www.mihs.org.

About the A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health - Located on ATSU's Mesa Campus, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health began addressing Arizona's oral healthcare needs in 2003 with its inaugural class of 54 students. ASDOH is an educational model that relies on an exceptional cadre of motivated, experienced learning guides or mentors who work on-on-one with students in both pre-clinical and clinical phases of the degree. Development of ASDOH is a result of ATSU's mission as a graduate health professions school to evaluate regional and national needs for health professionals.

Last updated on December 16, 2009