Clinic For Poor Moves In

Thu., Dec. 18, 1997

By Robin Rivers robinr@spokesman.com

A clinic that provides health care for thousands of low-income residents celebrated its new home Wednesday in downtown Spokane.

Ceremonies at the Downtown Community Medical-Dental Center, 238 W. Sprague, kicked off expanded efforts to offer public health care to anyone in need.

“We get lots of people who are very sick,” said Peg Hopkins, executive director of the Community Health Association of Spokane, which runs the center.

“Nobody comes in only with a toothache.”

With the new combined medical and dental centers, CHAS can help more people than ever. Services are available on a sliding-fee scale.

“We’re sort of the (health care) safety net for the community,” said Dr. Mark Bogdon, dental center director. “But up to this point we haven’t really had the facilities.”

The medical center relocated from its space at 1021 W. First on Nov. 17. It includes eight new exam rooms.

The dental center was moved from the Northeast Community Center last week. It now has 10 dental chairs instead of two.

The clinic offers more than physicals and teeth cleaning.

People coming in off the street also can get a shower or look into the transitional housing upstairs from the center.

“Some of the folks really don’t have the resources,” said Martha Grier, the center’s outreach director. “We can help them get started.”

It also will be a place to learn.

Dental hygienist students from Eastern Washington University will train there.

“We are really stressing education,” Bogdon said.

The center will also offer preventive care.

“We can’t have a good community if all of us aren’t healthier,” Hopkins said. “We can really help people turn that corner.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Center hours The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the dental center at 835-1203 or the medical center at 747-7754 for information.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Center hours The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the dental center at 835-1203 or the medical center at 747-7754 for information.

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