Station dental works through building renovations

Story by Lance Cpl. Gregory Aalto

After ongoing renovations reduced available treatment rooms for the past several months, the station dental clinic returned to full capacity Jan. 25, 2010, said the clinic's officer in charge.

The construction, which began in October, reduced the amount of services provided to station service members, retirees and dependents using the facility.

Annual exams and urgent care was not affected by the reduction in operating space, said Petty Officer 1st Class Taneika Duhaney, station dental hygienist.

Typically, the clinic schedules 32 patients per day, but with four treatment rooms unusable, only eight patients were seen per day, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Williams, station dental technician.

"It creates a bottleneck in appointments - specifically the cleanings," said Williams.

Even with the longer wait times, referrals to civilian providers in Yuma were not given.

Although cleanings are still given to those determined "in need" by their annual exam, most without cleaning issues will be delayed until construction is complete, said Duhaney.

During normal times, the clinic sees more than 200 patients a week. Specialty care is traditionally referred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., said Cmdr. John Marinucci, station dental officer in charge.

The clinic has five dentists, six hygienists and five technicians on staff, said Marinucci.

The renovation is to update the current building and will not add treatment space, said Duhaney.

To contact dental, call 928-269-2353.