Clinic for underprivileged children faces closure
A clinic that helps thousands of disadvantaged children is facing closure.
The San Gabriel Foundation for Dental Health clinic, which is held at the Hacienda La Puente School for adults in San Gabriel Valley, currently offers care to thousands of children that have no insurance and cannot afford dental care. However, the clinic is now facing difficulties due to a lack of financial backing and could close as soon as next month.
Since the recession hit, businesses have struggled to cope and several investments in charitable clinics and events, like the San Gabriel clinic have been cut. Without the support of important donors, the clinic simply cannot afford to provide the children with the dental care they need.
Staff at the clinic have expressed their disappointment at the news and are saddened by the prospect of the children they have come to know and love going without the valuable services offered by the clinic. Dr Sylvia Beeman, a dentist who started the clinic back in 1996, couldn’t hold back the tears as she discussed the imminent closure of the clinic; she has worked tirelessly alongside her team of dentists and volunteers and said the closure will leave a gaping hole in the community.
The clinic has helped thousands of poor children over the last 14 years, with parents and carers able to afford the $20 universal charge for all treatments, including fillings, screening and polishing.
The fate of the clinic will be decided at a meeting on the 14th April but staff are preparing for the worst. Although running costs are relatively low, at just $150,000 per year, companies are reluctant to help charities during these turbulent economic times. Staff are praying for a miracle.
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