Peterson opens doors to new dental clinic

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AFB, Colo. --  Peterson leadership and base dental officials swung open the doors to a new, temporary dental facility Nov. 19 as Team Pete continues to upgrade facilities to better support the local military community.

The $3.5 million facility, which eventually gives way to a permanent clinic in the next decade, features many technological upgrades over the previous facility that was co-located with the Peterson medical clinic. The facility's design was started October 2006. The improvements made include new dental chairs, a new laboratory used for fabricating prosthetic restorations and, in the following six months, will make available digital radiology to customers.

"Once installed, digital X-rays will cut patient wait time from five minutes to instant results," said Master Sgt. John Kemp II, dental clinic noncommissioned officer in charge. "The (dental) clinic is also set up to be streamlined for patient care. With three, new treatment rooms, we'll be able to work much more efficiently."

The price tag for upgrading clinic capabilities include $375,000 for dental chairs, $35,000 for a new laboratory, and $14,000 for sterilizers and new work stations for assistants. Overall, the new facility falls in line with Peterson's expansion plan "Blue Print 2050." Through Congressional military construction, or MILCON funding, Maj. Michael Bruhn, 21st Medical Support Squadron deputy commander, said opening the temporary clinic "is the first step towards a new medical complex on Pete East."

"A new MILCON dental clinic is scheduled for 2012 and a MILCON medical clinic is scheduled for 2025," the major said. "However, the projected growth of retirees to the area is not expected to hurt our bottom line as we primarily support the active duty population. Retirees may use dental services here only on an emergency basis."

As Peterson continues to adhere to Air Force Smart Operations, or AFSO-21 policies, leadership made the decision to connect the new dental facility to the existing Area Dental Laboratory already in operation.

"The move helps to combine the dental squadron, since the ADL is located right beside the new dental clinic," Sergeant Kemp commented on the base's dental resources being consolidated. "I think patients are going to like the new clinic with state-of-the-art dental equipment and a much needed facelift. It looks very nice."

The ADL supports military readiness by improving oral health through advanced technologies. The laboratory provides assorted dental work, including crowns, fabrications and dentures.
The new dental clinics hours are Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For dental emergencies after hours, members are encouraged to contact the Air Force Academy emergency room at (719) 333-5015.

 

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