CITY INTERCEDES TO HELP DENTAL CLINIC.

Byline: Mary Lou Aurelio Daily News Staff Writer

Pressure is on to find a new location for a low-cost children's dental clinic forced to give up its home to make way for an urgent-care center.

City officials have stepped in to help find a site for the Children's Dental Clinic, which was located in a Providence St. Joseph Medical Center facility until it was closed in December. So far, however, they have not had success, leaving patients without an affordable alternative, Mary Alvord, Burbank Parks and Recreation director, said Thursday.

``An existing medical building is what we need, but the city doesn't own any,'' Alvord said. ``It's a real challenge - how do I find something suitable for a dental clinic?

``There are a lot of kids who are going to fall through the cracks if you don't have this option.''

Run by volunteers, the clinic has provided dental care in Burbank to the children of the working poor at affordable rates since 1968. Each year hundreds of children who would otherwise go without dental care were referred to the clinic, usually by school nurses, clinic officials said.

Typically, the youngsters' parents work but are not covered by dental insurance, cannot afford the cost of dental work and are not eligible for Medi-Cal because they have jobs. The clinic only charged $10 per visit, and that could include multiple services such as X-rays, cleanings and fillings, said Carole Nese, a dental hygienist who volunteered at the Children's Dental Clinic for more than 20 years.

She said the cost of dental care can be prohibitive for the working poor.

``A lot of them are hard-working people trying to support their families, and they just can't afford all the expenses and proper dental care for their children,'' she said.

The more than 30 dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and hygienists who volunteered at the clinic are still committed to continue, Alvord said. But finding an appropriate place is proving difficult, since 1,000 to 1,200 square feet are needed, with sinks and running water.

Also because X-ray equipment is involved, certain state requirements must be met.

The hospital closed the clinic because the space at its Occupational Health Center, at 3413 Pacific Ave., was needed for urgent care and other services, said Sue Wyninegar, hospital service area director for community programs.

``In order to remain viable, the hospital has got to concentrate on our core services that we must provide first: acute care and hospitalization,'' Wyninegar said. ``Dentistry is not part of our system of care.''

She said the hospital will continue to store the three dental chairs and X-ray machine until a new site can be found.

``We feel badly about this issue,'' Wyninegar said, adding that the hospital does more than $1.4 million a year in charity care for the community.

In November, the hospital released a list of possible dental clinics from Canoga Park to Los Angeles that cost about $35 per visit. But Nese said that is still unaffordable, and many of the alternatives are too far.

Anyone who might be able to help can reach Alvord at [phone].