NWTC dental clinic to expand

From fox11online.com: “Dental clinic expansion could double patient capacity” — GREEN BAY – It may be a little easier for certain people in Brown County to get care from the dentist.

The NEW Dental Clinic on the Green Bay campus of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has been serving low-income and uninsured people for about a year and a half.

An expansion is expected to double the facility’s capacity.

Tammy Marcelle suffers from cerebral palsy and arthritis. She and her service dog Puppy checked in to the dental clinic Monday.

“Before I found this place, I haven’t been to the dentist in 20 years,” said Marcelle of Green Bay.

Marcelle met with her dentist Gretchen Evenson.

“A lot of these people have been trying to find dentists for years. No one sees the medical assistance. We’re happy that we devote our entire clinic to these people,” said Dr. Evenson, NEW Dental Clinic dentist.

NEW Dental Clinic provides dental services often free-of-charge to low income or uninsured people in Brown County.

The clinic was formally dedicated Monday morning. NWTC provided the space as part of a federal grant. St. Vincent Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center provided $330,000 for equipment.

“Getting care and getting that taken care of also pulling the teeth when appropriate so it doesn’t abscess and can cause further health problems is really important,” said Bonnie Kuhr, NEW Dental Clinic CEO.

Bonnie Kuhr says another dentist will be hired Tuesday. Kuhr says 10 people will staff the expanded office and serve an estimated 6,000 people a year.

“You didn’t have to do that,” said Marcelle.

Marcelle and Dr. Evenson have formed a friendship, but an upcoming root canal may put that friendship to the test.

“I think she should just pull it so we don’t have to deal with it. But that’s not her attitude,” said Marcelle.

“Tammy’s a character. She’s had some dental work that was done, and then of course, once the dental work is done, then we want to continue to monitor these patients and make sure that they get the continued care they need,” said Dr. Evenson.

“It’s a relief that people with low incomes have finally a place they can come and get things done. They need it,” said Marcelle.