news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

CONTACT: SUSAN TOLCHIN

MARY LANDRIGAN

(914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2004

STATEMENT ON HEALTH DEPARTMENT DENTAL CLINIC CLOSINGS

In response to planned demonstrations regarding the planned closure of its dental clinics, the Health Department is reassuring residents that every effort is being made to ensure the smooth transition of patients to community dental providers. In addition, the Department continues to work with the three employees who will be affected by the closures, to secure other jobs in this high-demand field of employment.

Closing the two dental clinics will save County taxpayers $400,000. The decision is due to the decline in the number of patients coming to the County clinics as a result of the expansion of Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus insurance coverage. While 5,357 children were served by the County clinics in 1995, only 579 children attended the clinics last year.

Those patients currently served by the clinic will get comparable care by several neighborhood health centers. Arrangements are being made at this time.

The County clinics are scheduled to close at the end of September. The three employees will be able to remain on County payroll until the end of December.

For additional information, contact the Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.

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