Prior to this spring, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) operated its dental clinic in a space that was running out of room for the demand.<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s expanded its dental clinic large enough to include whales and mountains.<\/p>\n
SEARHC renovated the lower level of its building at the corner of Hospital Drive and Salmon Creek Lane, adding a pediatric clinic that includes eight beds and an array of bright artwork. Director of Dental Services Matthew West said the project has been in the works for three or four years, with an emphasis on making children feel comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to create a space that was designed for children,\u201d West said. “When you come in the clinic, you\u2019ll notice bright colors, there\u2019s accessible sinks, there\u2019s art on the walls, there\u2019s a LEGO wall in the waiting room that kids can play with.\u201d<\/p>\n
The artwork on the walls, made by photographer and visual artist Sydney Akagi<\/a>, includes large displays of whales, fish, eagles, ravens and mountains. Akagi also works as a dental case manager at SEARHC. The new facility includes up-to-date technology as well, including advanced cameras, and multiple monitors in offices that make it easier for dentists to show patients x-rays or photos.<\/p>\n [SEARHC celebrates new children\u2019s dental clinic<\/a>] <\/ins><\/p>\n Pediatric Dentist Joseph Jackson started working for SEARHC earlier this year after most recently working in Fairbanks, and has been impressed at the upgrades.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been in pediatric dentistry for about, this will be my sixth year now, and this is the nicest facility I\u2019ve worked in, Lower 48, Fairbanks, wherever,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cThis is phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n The facility was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, where more than 80 people showed up to learn about the improvements. West spoke, as did a few others including SEARHC Board Chair Kimberly Strong, about their excitement with the improvements.<\/p>\n The pediatric clinic, which is simply called the Children\u2019s Dental Clinic, has been serving patients since the end of May, Pediatric Dentist Lauren Sanzone said. The regular dental clinic, which has 12 beds, is also still running. Those who have come to the new facility have responded well, Sanzone said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe feedback has been pretty amazing so far,\u201d Sanzone said. \u201cFamilies have been coming to see us for years in our more kind of cramped quarters upstairs and now have all this beautiful, open, bright space. It is a pleasure to work in here.\u201d<\/p>\n Previously, the first floor was home to health promotions offices, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, and behavioral health offices. SEARHC was founded in 1975<\/a>, serving as a Native-run health organization since then and expanding drastically over the years.<\/p>\n Sanzone pointed out that there\u2019s a perception that SEARHC only caters to Alaska Native patients. The organization accepts all patients regardless of background, Sanzone said.<\/p>\n Strong said that above all, SEARHC is dedicated to helping the community, and promoting good health is a key component to building for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cWe look at the dental field as one of the most important components,\u201d Strong said. Being able to bring this to the children, setting that foundation for the growth of our community through our children is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at alex.mccarthy@juneauempire.com.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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