Northeast Dental Clinic Set To Open Wide

After 18 months of planning and construction, the dental clinic at the Northeast Community Center is set to see its first patients this month.

The clinic, which will be staffed by volunteer dentists and hygenists, along with a full-time dental assistant, is expected to open by the third week of February, said Jean Farmer, assistant director of the community center.

Numerous community surveys pointed to the need to make dental services more available to low-income residents of northeast Spokane.

Though many dentists treat needy patients at their offices, it’s not feasible to serve a large number of people. The community center’s clinic is expected to serve 20 to 25 patients a day.

“When you have a toothache, you have a toothache right now. Most dental offices schedule two to three weeks in advance,” said Joyce Kersey, a community center board member who helped coordinate the project.

Kersey managed the dental practice of her late husband, Sam Kersey, who had an office in the Lidgerwood Professional Building and saw a lot of low-income patients.

Having the clinic at a community center will also enable retired dentists to volunteer - 11 already have done so - and allow hygenists and working dentists to come in after hours so some appointments can be set in the evening.

The program also aims to work in conjunction with the infant nutrition program and provide dental education to young mothers.

“We see a lot of young children, (and) their whole facial area is nothing but decay,” Kersey said.

An area of the community center was redesigned to house the clinic, which will be operated by the Community Health Association.

Several area dentists have donated supplies and a Seattle cabinetmaker built a state-of-the-art dental cabinet and then spent two full days installing it at the community center.

The Washington State Dental Association Foundation came forward with $30,000 and Holy Family Hospital with another $40,000. All of that money was used for construction and equipment.

“There is a need for dental dollars for low-income people,” said Ralph Gamon, chief administrative officer at Holy Family. “I think there is a lot of children that aren’t receiving dental care.”

Gamon said the hospital contributes to various neighborhood projects, but the $40,000 to the Northeast Community Center was the largest check in a while.

“This would be one of our bigger contributions,” he said. “We don’t do it that often.”

The money was essential for creating a modern office that would make it easy for retired dentists to volunteer time.

Plumbing and wiring had to be reconfigured and modern amenities installed. A single dental chair can cost $10,000.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Center’s phone For more information about eligibility for treatment or appointments at the Northeast Community Center, 487-1603.