As population and development in Dripping Springs have continued to grow, so have local medical options convenient to Dripping Springs residents.

“It’s definitely something we see expanding,” said Bill Foulds, Dripping Springs mayor pro tem. “We’ve seen a lot of it in the past two to three years.”

Options have expanded past the traditionally available family medicine, with more offerings for pediatrics, dentistry and orthodontics. Additionally, several specialty clinics have opened, including a stem cell therapy center, Regenerate, which opened in late 2017.

Several areas have become hubs for medical offices. For example, near Dripping Springs High School on Benney Lane, Premier Family Physicians; Premier Pediatrics; Cunningham Orthodontics; and Smiles of Dripping Springs, a pediatric dentistry and orthodontics clinic that serves as a sister office to Smiles of Austin, have all opened in new facilities.

The Belterra Village shopping center also has several medical options, including Brush32 Dental, Belterra Dental and Belterra Eye Care.

Additionally, a representative from Baylor Scott & White Health told Community Impact Newspaper that the provider is considering opening a Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation outpatient physical therapy center near the Belterra community within a year.

Foulds said some Austin medical offices have recognized the demand for care in Dripping Springs. Some have opened satellite offices in the city, where specialists travel one or two days a week, including a neurologist who sees patients for consultations at the NeuroTexas outpost in Dripping Springs. Such options increasingly give locals the convenience to see medical professionals without driving outside the city limits, he said.

“[These options] are part of a growing city,” Foulds said, “Hopefully this will help people so that they don’t have to head into Austin and fight the traffic on [Hwy.] 290.”

The city expects more expansion of medical options in the near future, with Austin Regional Clinic constructing a new clinic set to open by the fall that will offer general family medicine, pediatrics and lab services.

“Dripping Springs is experiencing a population boom and with this growth comes a need for quality medical care close to home. It’s what people deserve,” said Laura Wills, Austin Regional Clinic’s chief operations officer. “That, plus the fact that we have patients and staff from there coming to other ARC clinics, influenced our decision to locate in the city. We’re excited to be in Dripping Springs—and look forward to improving access to care for area residents.”