Dientes breaks ground on $3 million expansion
By Jason Hoppin, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Calif. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The project is driven by demand: in 2009 and amid persistent threats to public funding for adult dental care, Dientes shifted to serve more children. With few local dentists accepting public insurance, Dientes has seen the number of patients double to 7,700 -- half of whom are children -- and expects it double again by 2020.
"When you look across our county, nearly one out of every two people lack private dental insurance. Those we serve -- the low-income families in our community -- are at an even greater disadvantage," said Executive Director
The 3,300-square-foot expansion will replace and expand one building on a narrow lot along
The project is funded by a
The new wing will be named
"She said, 'Yeah, I think it is important. It gives other people the idea that they should do something too,'" he said.
"It made him and me feel like I was getting the best available dental care, whether I had the most elaborate private insurance or not," Smith-Ballon said. "And that's what you have here that is really unique and outstanding."
Founded in 1992 and aimed initially at HIV-positive and Latino patients, the clinic has since expanded to 10 chairs. Its clientele is exclusively low-income -- Deintes does not take private insurance -- a third of which does not speak English. It also serves homeless adults.
The clinic is nestled in a Mid-County location not far from
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