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| Dental Clinic Closer to Funds |
August 09, 2007 |
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By Juan-Carlos Rodriguez
Journal Staff Writer
The Community Dental Clinic is $300,000 closer to new facilities, thanks to efforts by Albuquerque's Congresswoman.
On July 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Labor/Health and Human Services Appropriation Act, which included the money earmarked for the clinic by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-Albuquerque.
The bill still has to pass the Senate and be signed by the president.
Last year Wilson tried to get the clinic more than $1 million in similar bills, but none of them made it into law.
The center has been operational since 1975 and serves low-income patients who couldn't otherwise afford dental care.
Wilson visited the clinic Wednesday and talked to patients and staff.
"It won't pay the whole bill, but what I'm hoping is that with that as ... some of the first money in the pot, the county and the city and the state will also pitch in," Wilson said.
The estimated cost of the clinic's new 12,000-square-foot building is about $4.5 million.
Ann Pelletier, the clinic's new executive director, said she is grateful for the federal money and hopeful the center can get started on a new building soon.
"Many people depend on us for services," Pelletier said.
Kathie Moya, who has worked at the clinic for 32 years, said it handles about 50,000 patient visits each year. She said many times the line outside the clinic starts forming at 5 a.m.
Wilson spoke with 20-year-old Lydell Yazzie, who just had his braces removed and was back for a checkup. Yazzie said Medicaid paid for his orthodontic work and the Community Dental Clinic is one of the few places that does that kind of thing.
"It's pretty good," Yazzie said of the clinic. "It helps get what you need done."
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