We have been making some major improvements at the clinic!
- We now have digital x-ray, both panoramic and intraoral
- We are using ScanX, with the help of Don Tyndall, UNC and Schein.
- We also have Dentrix G4 and Guru patient education with dual flat panel monitors in both operatories.
- Dr Mary King has been helpful in organizing our clinic and reducing clutter.
- We are using cassettes and Oral Surgery towel wrapped kits and now have in counter ultrasonic as well to accomodate the cassettes.
- UNC Dental students have begun a Durham version of the long running SHAC clinic and coordinators have had 2 'dry runs' of clinical care, working out the systems for the long term.
These clinics will begin again March 18th and will be Thursday nights from about 6:30-9. If you have faculty appointment, we welcome you as an attending for whatever type of service you want to designate (Pedo, OS, Operative, etc). We can arrange patients with those needs.
Our current needs are for:
- a modern endo setup
- amalgam instruments or amalgam (for you who have eliminated that perhaps)
- handpieces of any kind
These are the improvements at the Dental clinic, but there has been much improvement at the entire Health center. There is an amazing Medical clinic, now with 4 rooms, that has clinic simultaneously from 6-8 on Thursday nights and some Saturdays as well. As usual, our biggest need is for dentists to volunteer time, even if it just being present for hygienists to volunteer. We have at least 2 other clinics per month, currently the first and second Fridays from 9-2. We can accomodate your schedule if you wish to volunteer. All other times are available and we provide staffing support for whatever you want to do. Thanks to our dental society for all your support.
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The dental clinic began in January 2006 in a makeshift first floor room with equipment from Dr Eaker's office, but soon moved to onsite visits from the Baptist Men's Dental Bus on many occasions in 2006.
The fully functional 4th floor dental clinic construction was completed in November 2007, thanks to many generous donations.
Most notable donations were:
- New operatory units, lights, and chairs from Pelton and Crane Company in Charlotte NC,
- Clinic design, Dentrix software, Guru patient education software and equipment installation and maintenance from Henry Schein Dental, Raleigh
- Cabinets and flooring from Riggs-Harrod Construction
- Caesy patient education software from Patterson Dental, Raleigh
- Computers from Lenovo corporation
- Overall compliance support from Total Medical Compliance, Charlotte
- Much needed supplies from Ultradent company, Hu-Friedy, Garrison Dental, Microcopy, Sunstar Butler, Dentsply and a major amount of supplies at reduced cost from World Dental Relief in Oklahoma.
- Most small equipment has been donated by local dentists
Our Ribbon Cutting was December 14th, 2007 and included representatives of Henry Schein Dental, Total Medical compliance and the President of the Durham-Orange County Dental Society. News14Carolina was also on hand to cover the opening.
- Dental care will now be provided free of charge to residents several days per month by volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants as well as other support staff.
- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Our biggest clinical needs are hygienists and dentists to either provide services or just to oversee hygienists.
- The opening was highlighted in a recent news story on News14Carolina
- Needs: Our main financial need ($17,000) would allow us to convert to digital x-ray. Basically, we need a digital x-ray sensor, ability to convert existing panoramic unit to digital, and LAB support (fixed and removable),
- Currently two full dental exam rooms, plus x-ray are available. At least one dentist in every specialty has offered services and we conitnue to gear up our supplies for all the specialties.
- Contact Jim Eaker with questions or to donate resources or equipment:. JimEaker@samaritanhealthcenter.org
Get involved! Donation and Volunteering information
