 The clinic, which will be housed in the health department's facility
on Third Street, would provide oral health care for those most in
need and addresses Logan County's top health care priority.
Efforts to meet the oral health care needs of Logan County residents
began with services for children and have been provided through the
HOPE Mobile since 2006.
Initially when the clinic is opened, services will be offered to
Medicaid-qualifying children through age 18 and pregnant women.
Hilliard has been quite busy since notification from the Illinois
Children's Healthcare Foundation last October that the county would
receive the grant funding needed to open the additional clinic in
the department.
He said that:
-
Three exam rooms
being remodeled are nearly complete.
-
The electrical and
plumbing needs have been installed in a mechanical room.
-
Positions have
been posted to hire a dentist, dental hygienists and a clerical
support staff person. Two dentists have already been
interviewed.
-
Dental equipment
is on order and expected to arrive for installation on Feb. 14.
-
Training on dental software is
scheduled March 28.
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The clinic was originally not scheduled to be ready for opening
until June. However, pending hiring a dentist and all staff training
being completed, Hilliard said that an earlier date may be possible,
and he has reset the target date for April 1.
He added that the clinic is not ready to schedule appointments,
so don't call just yet.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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