Federal money due to expand dental clinic
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By Brent Curtis Staff Writer - Published: July 2, 2009
Federal funding on its way to Rutland will give many people something to smile about.
Sen. Bernard Sanders announced Wednesday that $95,351 is coming to Rutland to expand a federally funded dental clinic that last year received almost 5,000 visits from 1,013 patients in the region — 90 percent of whom were on Medicaid or uninsured.
"The lack of dental care in this country is a huge problem," Sanders said. "That's one reason why I pushed so hard for this money."
Sanders, who has also been a major advocate for federally qualified health care centers such as the one that runs the community dental center on Grove Street, appeared alongside Grant Whitmer, executive director of the health center at a public appearance at the Godnick Adult Center in Rutland on Wednesday.
Sanders and Whitmer said the federal money, part of the economic stimulus funding, will be used to double the dental clinics size and number of dentists.
The clinic, which operates with three chairs, three dentists and two hygienists, will also move from its Grove Street location to a new home at 69 Allen St.
That move will allow the clinic to expand to six chairs and will require additional dentists and hygienists as well, Whitmer said.
For those who use the clinic, the expansion should translate into more timely appointments. Presently, there is a 4-1/2-month waiting list for the popular clinic, Whitmer said.
"As great as the need is for medical service, the need for dental care is dire," Whitmer said commenting on a dentist shortage seen nationwide.
In addition to talking about the dental funds, Sanders told the small gathering at the Godnick about the recent release of almost $5 million to help the eight community health centers in Vermont.
In Rutland, where $877,690 of the money is coming, the funds will be used to establish low-cost pharmacies inside satellite clinics operating in Brandon and Mettowee. The money will also be used to retrofit aging medical equipment, Whitmer said.
The other health care centers in the state and their respective funding include:
$485,900 for Little Rivers Health Care of Bradford.
$699,995 for Community Health Center of Burlington.
$717,500 for Community Health Services of Lamoille Valley in Morrisville.
$462,310 for The Health Center of Plainfield.
$519,220 for the Richford Health Center in Richford.
$881,820 for Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury.
$250,000 for Springfield Medical Care Systems in Springfield.
In addition to the medical funding, Sanders announced Wednesday that the Godnick Center will receive $22,255 that program director Lori Hickey said will be used to install acoustic buffers in the facility's dining area and to add handicapped parking spaces that will be located closer to the center.
brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com
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