Richland  Dental Facility to open in  2002

The first rural Federally Qualified Healthcare Corporation Dental Facility in the Central District is scheduled to open sometime in March of 2002.  The CDS web contacted Director Robert Walters to obtain pictures of this new "safety net" dental center as well as interviews, but were refused at this time due to the interior not being finished.

We hope to have more pictures and the interview later as an update, after it opens.

In an interview with Mr. Walters several months ago, before construction was started, we did learn that the proposed facility will cost in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand dollars and have approximately six operatories. He disclosed also that the building was designed for easy addition, and that modules of four to six ops could be added as needs dictated without compromising the efficiency of the structure. 

The funding is from grants from the federal government that will allow the facility to be paid on a cost plus basis for the treatment of patients enrolled with the Department of Social Services.  There will also be grant monies available to pay the clinic in the event patients do not keep scheduled appointments.  Administrative expensed for the facility will also be covered by grant.

Because of Federal mandates, the facility is prohibited from discriminating in treatment policies, and thus must see any patient who applies regardless of need.  Mr. Walters did indicate that the majority of patients would come from Medicaid and poverty level patrons in a multi-county area.

The facility is affiliated with the Central Ozarks Medical Center, a "safety net" medical facility in Richland Missouri, a pleasant town of about 2000 in Pulaski County.  The medical portion of this center has been in operation for some years now.

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