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UMMAM expands dental services to Dodge City
Published 9/1/2010 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
rgray@gctelegram.com
To expand dental services for the "underserved and uninsured," the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries has opened a dental clinic in Dodge City.
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Laurie Sisk/Telegram United Methodist Mexican American Ministries staff doctor Lance Palmer, left and dental assistant Aracely Gonzalez work with a patient last October at the UMMAM clinic.
The Oral Health Taskforce, Ford County Oral Health Coalition and UMMAM teamed to open the dental clinic, and will have a ribbon cutting Sept. 8 to celebrate its opening.
Stephanie Waggoner, executive director, said the opening of the dental clinic in Dodge City will not only benefit those residents, but also will benefit the residents of Garden City.
"Those coming from Dodge to seek dental care here in town can now get that care in Dodge City, freeing up more appointments for those who live here," Waggoner said.
The clinic, which will be open three days a week, will have four chairs in operation.
Waggoner said the clinic will start out with a volunteer dental staff, and will look to fill the position of a full-time dentist to offer full services.
Volunteer dentists include Dr. Richard Stein, Dr. David Bunkall, Dr. Michael Milford, Dr. Richard McFadden, Dr. Shawna Harris and Dr. Crystal Obee. In addition to the volunteer dentists, Dr. Bret Holman will be working in the clinic two days per week.
"We're excited that they're willing to donate their time and are passionate about serving," Waggoner said.
UMMAM continues to expand its dental services, providing children in Ford County now with dental screenings.
In Garden City, the UMMAM dental clinic has expanded to four chairs. In 2008, the clinic served 545 patients. That number grew to 881 patients, with 2,735 visits in 2009.
In 2008, UMMAM hygienists visited 69 schools in 15 counties and screened 12,209 children.
In 2009, UMMAM hygienists screened 20,222 children in 68 schools in 19 counties for visual oral decay. Of these, 6,833, or 32 percent, were referred to a dentist for follow-up. Lifetime Smiles dental project held sealant clinics with children and fluoride clinics were held at schools, health fairs and at UMMAM. Staff at UMMAM did many presentations and distributed more than 30,000 toothbrushes, pamphlets, sippy cups and other oral health items, according to UMMAM.
The Dodge City clinic is located at 2011 Central Ave. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. To make an appointment, call (620) 227-9797.
The Garden City clinic's hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Call 272-0570 to make appointments.
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