County dental clinic expands

Anyone suffering from a toothache has one burning desire - to get to a dentist as soon as possible.

For low-income residents, that often means a trip to the dental clinic at the Brooksville health clinic.

But often, the wait for someone to see the dentist is three months or longer, Health and Human Resources Director Jean Rags said.

That is one reason why county commissioners approved a $53,755 bid from Midway Services Inc. to renovate the dental office at 300 S. Main St. and add two more dental operating rooms for a total of five.

The project is being funded through the Florida Department of Health's dental program.

Rags said the expansion will enhance provider productivity by at least 10 percent.

"We do have a need to increase dental client services," she said.

Civic activist Janey Baldwin said she has no problem with the dental clinic.

However, if Rags is going to be the spokeswoman for the clinic and the entire health department, she needs an office there where she can oversee operations.

Baldwin said Rags occupies prime real estate on the first floor of the downtown government center, room that could be put to better use for other departments.

The last few weeks have brought a reshuffling of department offices inside the government center. But Rags office will remain where it is.

Meanwhile, construction continues on a new 41,000-square-foot health department on 3.5 acres adjacent to the Westside Government Complex off Forest Oaks Boulevard in Spring Hill.

Commissioners purchased the property in 2000. State legislators had already set aside $14 million for the design, engineering, construction and equipping of the new building.

That facility is set to open in fall 2011.