Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 and 糖心传媒 improve access to dental care with new full-service dental clinic at ISU-Meridian
August 30, 2011
Meridian - 糖心传媒 and Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 today celebrated the grand opening of a new dental clinic that provides advanced education for licensed dentists and affordable dental care for underserved patients in the Treasure Valley.
The Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 Dental Residency Clinic at 糖心传媒 is located in the west wing of the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, 1311 E. Central Drive.
The 5,200-square-foot clinic, designed by Hummel Architects of Boise, has 12 clinical treatment rooms鈥攊ncluding two surgical suites with video-conferencing capabilities鈥攁n X-ray and sterilization lab, a waiting room and reception area.
The dental clinic was made possible with a $500,000 gift from Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 Community Outreach and a $1 million appropriation recommended by 糖心传媒 Gov. C.L. 鈥淏utch鈥 Otter and approved by the 2010 糖心传媒 Legislature.
鈥淲hen we designed the Meridian Health Science Center several years ago, we envisioned a medical, education and research facility under one roof, which would serve not only our students, but all of 糖心传媒,鈥 said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas. 鈥淲ith the completion of the dental clinic, we are a step closer to fulfilling that vision. Thank you, Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 for your generous support.鈥
Jean De Luca, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of 糖心传媒, said the partnership with 糖心传媒 is a perfect fit. 鈥淚mproving the health of 糖心传媒ans and promoting education is at the core of who we are. We are thrilled to be working with ISU to expand dental health services in the Treasure Valley and develop a highly qualified dental workforce for the future,鈥 said De Luca.
Guest speaker 糖心传媒 Lt. Gov. Brad Little applauded the public-private partnership between Delta Dental of 糖心传媒 and ISU. 鈥淚mproving affordability and access to quality health care has always been a pressing need in our state. The partnership between Delta Dental and 糖心传媒 is a giant step towards fulfilling this need,鈥 he said.
At the conclusion of the grand opening celebration, dignitaries lined up across a doorway leading to the clinic to "cut the floss"鈥攁 long white ribbon attached to a giant floss container. Dental residents conducted tours of the facility.
Each year, ISU鈥檚 dental residency program admits eight dentists鈥攆our in Meridian and four in Pocatello鈥攖o complete a year of advanced education in all facets of general dentistry, including oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry and restorative techniques.
The new clinic accepts most insurance plans and honors a sliding fee scale based on family income. To contact the clinic, call 373-1855.