Young dentist rebuilds rural dental services after Hurricane Helene devastation
When Hurricane Helene’s remnants tore through Avery County in September 2024, the storm left the town of Newland in ruins — and destroyed its only full-time dental clinic serving low-income residents. For Ashton Johanson, D.D.S., a 29-year-old dentist just months into his first job at Avery Dental, it marked the beginning of an intense trial of resilience.
The clinic, part of High Country Community Health, had been a vital safety net for residents lacking dental insurance or Medicaid providers nearby. After floodwaters gutted the Avery Dental office, Dr. Johanson became the county’s only in-person Medicaid dental provider, working from temporary setups including a school dental bus and later a donated trailer, according to North Carolina Health News.
Despite long hours, unreliable equipment, freezing conditions and no hygienist to share the load, Dr. Johanson stayed. Helene caused over $60 billion in damage across the state and claimed six lives in Avery County alone. Many residents lost homes, while others struggled to find basic healthcare. For Dr. Johanson, the disaster exposed the deeper challenges of rural public health — and strengthened his connection to the community.
Now operating out of a rented office while the original clinic is rebuilt, Dr. Johanson continues to serve patients, one filling at a time, according to North Carolina Health News.
“You’ll figure out how to show up when you start showing up,” he said.
Read more: North Carolina Health News
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.