Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics Expanding Dental Services in Goleta
The Neighborhood Clinics program has expanded dental services in Goleta. Residents can now get appointments sooner.
The clinic has gone from two chairs to nine chairs and the demand is present already with a back log of appointments. In some cases patients have to wait more than two months to see a dentist. This change will improve that schedule and get vital services for all residents regardless of their income.
The clinic expansion comes through grants and donations. Patients are assisted with financial programs depending on their ability to pay. Some non profit and charitable groups are aligned with the clinics to pay for services residents can not fund themselves.
Lead dentist, Dr. Quynh Nguyen says state of the art equipment has been purchased. “We provide not only the basic services such as fillings and extractions, we train graduate dentists in advanced techniques, so we provide crowns and bridges, dentures, root canals and implants. The only thing we don’t have is braces. We do more than a regular practice.”
Among those attending the ribbon cutting were Developer and Chairman of Monteicito Bank and Trust, Michael Towbes, Philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Congresswoman Lois Capps and board members from the Neighborhood Clinic.
Capps said when she was a school nurse she was appalled at the teeth some children had at a young age. Some had widespread decay and were missing teeth. She says these dental services will reduce those issues at an early age.
Goleta Mayor Pro Tem Tony Vallejo says having good health care for all residents in need will improve the quality of life. “Maybe you are unemployed for a little while, you lost your insurance , to know you don’t have to worry about your dental care and all the other services the neighborhood clinics provide at the other locations takes a lot of the stress off. We can’t thank them enough for putting this in Goleta where there is a real need,” he said.
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