CEDAR RAPIDS — UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital announced Tuesday that the Eastern Iowa Health Center will take over operations at St. Luke’s Dental Health Center effective May 17, 2026.

The transition will not affect where patients go to receive care. The St. Luke’s Dental Health Center will continue to serve patients 16 and under on the St. Luke’s campus at 855 A Ave. NE and the Eastern Iowa Health Center will continue to see adults at 1210 Fourth Ave. SE.

“St. Luke’s has a long and proud history of providing dental care to children who need it most,” Casey Greene, president of St. Luke’s, said in a statement. “In Eastern Iowa Health Center, we have found a trusted partner with the expertise, capacity and mission alignment to not only continue this important work, but to expand it. This transition allows us to ensure these services remain strong and accessible for future generations.”

Eastern Iowa Health Center plans to recruit more dentists and expand patient capacity as part of the transition.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build on an already strong foundation,” Joe Lock, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Iowa Health Center said in a statement. “We are honored to continue the legacy of St. Luke’s Dental Health Center and to expand access to care for more patients in our community. Our team is committed to a seamless transition that prioritizes patients, supports team members and enhances the overall impact of this essential service.”

The formal name of St. Luke’s Dental Health Clinic, the Dr. Rhys B. Jones Dental Health Center, will keep its original name to honor Jones, its former director. The center has operated for over 50 years.