PELHAM – A ribbon cutting, hosted by the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, was held on Friday, Aug. 11, for a new dentist office that offers a dental care program for uninsured patients.

Pelham Parkway Dentistry is located at 2685 Pelham Parkway in Cumberland Centre, and Dr. Nicholas Kentros, DMD, is the sole practitioner in the office. The business is owned by Nashville-based Marquee Dental Partners, which operates dental offices in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Pelham Parkway Dentistry is now accepting patients and will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office accepts children, adult and elderly patients.

Kentros said he is committed to providing patients with a relaxing and positive experience. He added that one of the things he’s most excited about is offering the Shine Bright program.

“Pelham is a growing area and one thing that’s always a concern is access to dental care,” he said. “There may be people who think they can’t afford to go to the dentist because they don’t have insurance, but this program provides a way around that.”

Shine Bright is a dental discount program that covers a routine exam, preventative cleaning, fluoride treatment and x-rays twice a year at a reduced rate. In addition, members of the program receive a 25-50 percent discount on all other restorative services such as fillings, crowns, dentures and root canals.

“I care about access to dental care and providing a way for people without insurance to receive care,” he said.

The office features a digital x-ray machine and digital patient charts. For those who are insured, Kentros said the office accepts most forms of insurance.

Kentros is a lifelong resident of Birmingham. After graduating from the Altamont School, he attended and graduated from the University of Alabama in 2011. In 2016 he graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry and completed a yearlong general practice residency at UAB Hospital.

Kentros comes from a family of health care providers, including his grandfather who was a professor of dentistry at UAB for 14 years.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve patients in the community where I have had the honor to call home,” he said.

Kentros is a member of the Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham, American Student Dental Association, American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.