Charity Dental Clinic in Portland May Shut Down
Creston Dental Clinic May Close in February
The center’s been providing free dental care to low-income children since 1961 when the Assistance League of Portland became a part of the National Assistance League and pediatric dentistry became its primary philanthropic project. Since then more than 2,500 Portland school children have benefitted from its services.
Now the Assistance League says it can no longer afford to keep the program running. Unless someone else steps with funding, the center will close in February. The League has pumped $250,000 a year to keep the center going. Because of donated labor, rent, utilities and supplies, its operating expenses have been cut in half.
“It’s really a shame, and we’re taken aback by how quickly this all happened,” said staff dentist Dr. Erica Waldau. “The kids being seen there are the ones who are falling through the cracks. Even with the legislature opening the Oregon Health Plan to more children, there’ll still be kids without coverage.”
But Assistance League executives contend they have no other choice. “We can’t afford to fund it,” said Naniscah Apperson, president. “It’s by far the most expensive program we fund.”
They just want this program to go away quietly, said Waldau. “I don’t think the League did all it could. If they were really in that much financial trouble, they would have been out in the community sooner looking for a solution.”
That’s untrue, said Apperson, who informed the Multnomah Dental Society’s board in October about the dire situation. “Maybe the dentists in Multnomah County could pool together their funds to keep it open,” she said. “It was a very tough decision to cut the funding.”
Local dentists aren’t about to reclaim their historic role as caretakers of the Children’s Dental Center. “The Multnomah Dental Society isn’t in the position to pick up the fiduciary responsibilities,” said Dr. Kurt Ferre, board president. “Our small budget is filtered down through the American Dental Association and through the Oregon Dental Association. It’s impossible to raise funds from our parent organizations on such short notice.”
Ferre has reached out to the Gates Foundation, Phil Knight and other philanthropists. Last month he also sent a strongly worded letter to Governor Kulongoski.
“The Assistance League, because of some ill-advised financial decisions, is facing a serious budget shortfall,” the letter read in part. “We need your assistance in finding a solution.”
“The Multnomah Dental Society’s been working very hard to find contacts to keep the Children’s Dental Center open,” said Waldau, who isn’t very hopeful the center can be saved. “I have a feeling it will be turned into more of an emergency clinic.”
Not willing to give up, she and Ferre are attempting to raise $75,000 in “short-term crisis funding” to keep the center afloat through June, when it usually closes for the summer.
“Our second immediate goal is to find a long-term stream of funding so we can keep the center open year-round,” Ferre said. “It has a separate entrance, so the school could remain secure.”
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I have to say, I feel the tone of this article was spun a bit negatively. With all due respect, let me relay a few facts about this clinic.
I am so grateful and amazed by the 48 years of hard work and funding the Assistance League of Portland has put into this place. They have facilitated treatment for thousands of kids over the years that likely would have gone without. That has been a tremendous task. The simple fact is, they cannot shoulder the burden anymore. That is fine.
We are just trying to get out into the media to make the community aware that this incredibly valuable resource will be lost without support from our citizens. Let's not lay blame. This is 100% about the kids. This is about the kids that have no choice or control over the socioeconomic, family, or residential situation they are born into. This is about the kids who not qualify for any sort of public assistance or dental insurance (even under the new OHP and ODS programs- read the fine print). This is about the kids whose families cannot afford the hundreds or thousands of dollars it would take to pay for dental care out of pocket. This is about the kids that would be forced to go without treatment if it weren't for this clinic. This is about the kids whose health, learning, and development would be negatively affected when they have toothaches and broken teeth and don't have anywhere to turn. This is about all the wonderful, beautiful,innocent kids.
It is often hard to get the "full story" out of edited media, so take it all with a grain of salt. Just know that there is a group of very concerned citizens working very hard to continue the legacy of providing dental care for the children of Portland in need. We provide comprehensive care and education, not just a "one and done" emergency visit. A small group alone cannot accomplish this. It will require the support and backing of the "village to raise these children." We will be asking for help, no matter how small. The most important first step is awareness. I thank you all for your consideration. Please keep your eyes and ears out for information on how you can contribute to this incredibly important cause.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erica Waldau