Fort Dodge, IA – Community Health Center of Fort Dodge (CHCFD) is pleased to announce that Dr. Aparnaa Upadhyaya, DDS, MPA, BDS, has joined the organization as Dental Director, bringing more than a decade of clinical leadership and public health experience to the role.
Appointments with the CHCFD dental team are now available. To schedule an appointment, call Community Health Center of Fort Dodge at 515-576-6500.
As Dental Director, Dr. Upadhyaya leads clinical operations, provider development, and quality and safety initiatives, while guiding strategic efforts to expand access to comprehensive dental care throughout North Central Iowa.
Prior to joining CHCFD, Dr. Upadhyaya spent more than eleven years at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, one of the nation’s highest-need Health Professional Shortage Areas. There, she oversaw rotating dental students, led quality improvement initiatives, and strengthened interdisciplinary medical-dental collaboration within a Level I trauma center and academic health system.
Dr. Upadhyaya earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from New York University College of Dentistry, graduating with Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors. She holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Healthcare Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from King George’s University of Dental Sciences, where she received the University Gold Medal. She has also served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple international scientific journals.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape the future of dental services in North Central Iowa,” said Dr. Upadhyaya. “Working alongside a dedicated team to enhance patient care, improve clinical quality, and expand access to services is both meaningful and energizing.”
“Dr. Upadhyaya brings an exceptional depth of clinical and executive leadership experience to our dental team,” said Renae Kruckenberg, CEO of Community Health Center of Fort Dodge. “Her commitment to health equity, quality improvement, and expanding access to care will strengthen our ability to serve patients throughout North Central Iowa.”
About Community Health Center
Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered healthcare regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Services include medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry, pharmacy, care coordination, and other supportive services. The health center accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans and offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program for eligible patients. For more information, visit www.chcfd.com or call 515-576-6500.