Cripple Creek to Host Mega Clinic; 1,000-Plus Patients Expected to Receive Free Treatment
Rick Langenberg
Cripple Creek and the southern Teller region has gained a growing reputation as a magnet for a multitude of special services for those in need, and for those who may not have seen a regular health or dental care provider for years.
The Aspen Mine Center has served as an example of what can happen when the community pulls its resources together, along with the recent Teller County Cares Food Initiative effort. But with the rising costs of insurance and grocery supplies, this challenge is now even more pronounced. Residents are sometimes forced to make major decisions on what type of health care services they can put off.
But now the stage is getting set for one of the biggest clinics the area has ever held, a two-day, statewide dental clinic, aimed at offering full-scale services for more than 1,000 people, covering a full gamut of help and specialties for many teeth needs, including cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, dentures and ceramic crowns. The total cost of these services: Try zero dollars. Moreover, the clinic will feature the expertise of 200-plus dentists, through a nonprofit group called the Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM).
COMOM does annual clinics aimed at improving oral health and overall well-being for underserved populations. More importantly, its clinics are open to anyone in need.
At its Nov. 19 regular meeting, the Cripple Creek City Council got a brief glimpse of the forthcoming event, which will be held at the Cripple Creek/Victor High School on Sept. 25-26, starting at 6 a.m. and ending each day well into the evening. Dr. Stephenie Kaufmann, who has operated a well-known dental practice in downtown Woodland Park for more than 20 years, and serves as a board member of COMOM, outlined the benefits of the clinic and the ongoing challenges in putting the 19th annual event together. “It is absolutely free,” said Kaufmann.
Moreover, she noted that the COMOM group does amazing work and has served 21,000 patients since its inception in 2007 and has provided $19 million-plus in donated dental services.
Kaufmann, who has received many “Best Of” award designations by the local media in recent years, said the clinic is aimed at really serving folks in underserved populations, especially those who may not have been to a dentist for an extended period. As noted by a COMOM brochure, “Individuals across the state are in need of dental care. They are in pain, frustrated, without answers and they hope that someone will be able to help them…COMOM has provided a way to help this situation.”
Kaufmann also touted one of the group’s main catch lines: “COMOM makes a lasing difference in the lives of Coloradans-one smile at a time.” With neglected dental care, many individuals have difficulty smiling, which in turn limits their prospects of getting employed, noted Kaufmann.
A Growing Rural Problem
And unfortunately, the lack of dental care is a growing problem in rural sections of the state, including southern Teller.
Kaufmann expects the clinic to generate more than 1,300 participants and 200 dentists, along with a whole lineup of hygienists, assistants, front desk staff, lab technicians, nurses, student and volunteers. The clinic would operate through a first-come-basis, with possibly 125 dental chairs available. Kaufmann said the event organizers are encouraging clinic participants to bring a book, in case they have to experience a lengthy wait period.
The Woodland Park dentist said she was inspired too by the recent Teller County Cares Food Initiative, and the way the community came together to grapple with a major problem, despite the lack of action by the federal government. She compared the COMOM clinic to the same collaborative approach. “This is what it takes to be a community,” said Kaufmann. She hopes to involve a number of young people in the process. “We want to pull in our youth.”
The council’s main response: How can we help?
The forthcoming COMOM clinic is definitely a big event for Cripple Creek, as past annual clinics, put on by COMOM, occurred in much larger areas, such as Loveland, Greeley and Pueblo, based on their brochure.
Mayor Annie Durham, who works with the RE-1 Cripple Creek/Victor school district, inquired about what type of technical assistance is needed in the form of special equipment. Several council members questioned the logistics of the event but expressed much support for the clinic. They also asked if follow-up appointments could be arranged with any of the participating dentists
City Administrator Frank Salvato cited the need for dental care in the community as a big concern. “We have been trying to get a dentist up here for some time,” said Salvato.
Kaufmann stated that more details would be forthcoming as the event progresses toward the final organization stage. She cited Cripple Creek as a great setting for COMOM’s annual clinic.
In turn, she hopes the community reaps some benefits from the many people who will be staying in the community.
