NASHVILLE (AP) - Seven Health Resources and Services Administration health centers in Tennessee, including Nashville's United Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., have been awarded $2.5 million to expand their oral health services.

HRSA health centers are public and private non-profit health care organizations that serve a needy population with fees adjusted based on the patients' ability to pay.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced the award on Thursday. It was part of a $156 million award nationwide. Overall the grants will allow the centers to hire enough new dentists and assistants to treat nearly 785,000 new patients.

HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said in a statement the agency is continuing to explore ways to integrate oral health into primary care. The agency also is working to increase awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health.

Those clinics receiving awards in Tennessee are:

• Cherokee Health Systems,Knoxville, $524,999
• Christ Community Health Services Inc, Memphis, $350,000
• Tennessee Dept of Health, Cookeville, $350,000
• Hope Family Health Services, Westmoreland, $350,000
• Perry County Medical Center Inc, Linden, $225,000
• Tri-State Community Health Center, Memphis, $350,000
• United Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., Nashville, $350,000