LOW-FEE DENTAL CLINIC TO OPEN.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

BURBANK - After a three-year hiatus and months of delays, a nonprofit Burbank dental facility for uninsured children is finally set to reopen Jan. 4.

Carole Nese, president of the Kids' Community Clinic of Burbank, said the facility received its long-awaited license Tuesday, after passing a final inspection from the Los Angeles County Health Department.

``We are extremely excited. It's been a lot of work. We are very pleased,'' Nese said.

The clinic was initially scheduled to reopen in October.

Ressie Roman, health deputy for Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, said the license was delayed while the clinic had to make corrections to the facility to meet regulation requirements.

The 35-year-old clinic was forced to close three years ago because of a lack of space.

Nese said she is already getting many phone calls from agencies interested in referring clients to the clinic. In anticipation of the opening, clinic staffers already have started conducting interviews and processing applications to determine eligibility.

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Located on the second floor of the Burbank YMCA, the clinic will target children of working families who do not qualify for government-sponsored health care and who do not receive employer-sponsored benefits.

``These are families who are working three or four jobs who don't have money to go to a private dentist,'' Nese said.

Patients will pay a $10 fee for each visit to the clinic, which provides X-rays, cleanings, fillings and referrals. The clinic will be staffed by more than 30 local dentists, dental hygienists and other professionals who will volunteer their time.