BITE OF PROCEEDS: This artist’s rendering shows what Christ Community Health Services’ new dental clinics will look like. -- IMAGE COURTESY OF CHRIST COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

Christ Community Health Services announced Tuesday morning that it will add dental clinics at two of its health centers with $1.5 million in federal stimulus money.

Work at the Broad Avenue location could begin as early as October, while renovations at the Hickory Hill location may start in January.

The news about the dental clinics is a precursor to other expansions the nonprofit, Christian-based organization is considering. Christ Community is negotiating the acquisition of some of the Health Loop clinics operated by the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and has applied for grants to upgrade its facilities in Frayser and on Third Street. The organization currently leases space for those centers and would build its own stand-alone structures if it receives additional funding for those projects from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Growing needs

Community health centers, such as the ones operated by Christ Community, are serving more people as the ranks of the uninsured and underprivileged rise. Last year, Christ Community logged 95,993 patient visits, including 5,104 for dental services.

The dental clinic in Hickory Hill will encompass 3,500 square feet of the community health center there. The one on Broad will go in the organization’s former administration building, which is a block from the community health center there. It will encompass 5,000 square feet.

Both dental clinics will provide adult and pediatric dental services.

“Christ Community understands that oral health is a key component of care for the whole person, but dental care is not easily accessible in some Memphis areas,” said Burt Waller, the organization’s executive director. “These funds will enable us to make a significant step in closing that gap.”

Waller thanked U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and dental services director Dr. Orpheus Triplett for their work to add the dental clinics.

Christ Community, which was founded in 1995, brought oral health care into its system in 2000. It currently operates two dental centers. The organization decided to expand its dental offerings after recognizing a continuing need for more basic and advanced oral health services.

Of the people Christ Community serves, 49 percent are TennCare recipients, 33 percent are uninsured, 10 percent receive Medicare and 8 percent have other insurance. The uninsured pay according to a sliding fee based on income.

Christ Community through its payroll, other investments and indirect effects had an overall economic impact of $24.9 million last year.