A cavity no one wants

As the executive director of the Prince William Area Free Clinic, Michelle Schuller knows first hand how many adults are in dire need of dental work, but can't afford it.

"There is a huge need [for dental care]," Schuller said. "We… could probably be open every day and there would still be people [waiting]."

Currently, 10 adults a week receive free dental services at the Manassas clinic, which is only open Thurs-days. Only seven receive treatment at the Woodbridge location, which is open Tuesdays.

Funding for dental coverage is scarce right now, both at the county and state levels. Funding cuts at the state-run Health Department in Prince William led to reduced hours from an individual dentist and subse-quent reduced supplies and materials. It also meant the loss of a county match of $100,000.

The Health Department, which is separate from the free clinics, provides children with free or reduced dental services.

In fiscal 2009, the Health Department provided dental services for 1,690 children, said Health Department dental manager Lynn Browder. Without that dental position, there is a "reduced capacity," said Browder.

Browder expects the department to see roughly 1,500 children this fiscal year.

To raise awareness of the dental needs of the community, approximately 160 representatives of the North-ern Virginia-based religious coalition VOICE came to the Board of County Supervisors public hearing on the fiscal 2011 budget on Monday.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church's the Rev. Clyde Ellis and St. Paul United Methodist Church Associate Pastor Craig Muffley gave speeches to go with testimonials by former homeless individuals who have had major dental problems.

At the hearing, VOICE implored the supervisors to reinstate the $100,000 in this year's budget cycle. VOICE is also encouraging the county to apply for a portion of the Federal TANF Emergency Stimulus Funds administered to states.

"A budget is more than numbers and graphs and projections," Ellis told the supervisors Mon-day. "It is truly a moral document."

Earlier this year, VOICE brought 200 people down to the State Capitol in Richmond to stump for better dental coverage.

In the proposed 2011 budget, county officials have recommended a 15 percent cut in funding for the free clinics. Last year, the county contributed $20,000 to the clinics. That money helps provides prescription assistance to all of its patients, which include those who need basic medical care, said Schuller.

While unsure of how the board will vote, Supervisor Martin E. Nohe, R-Coles, said he is in favor of restor-ing the 15 percent cut. Nohe said he visited the clinics last year while they were taking dental patients and walked away impressed.

"We are blessed to have an organization like the free clinics, who are able to step up and provide very basic services," Nohe said.

The clinics are primarily funded through private donations and grants and are run by volunteers, said Schuller. In the past year, VOICE obtained $100,000 from the city of Alexandria and Arlington and Fairfax counties to fund a dentist at the Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, which exclusively serves low-income adults.

This dentist is expected to complete 2,000 appointments this year, according to a VOICE press release.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-530-3904.