AG 1996 08 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cabarrus County Health Department 715 Cabarr~sAvenue W. · P.O. Box 1149 · Cot~cord, A'. C. 26'026 114~ Wi[lia~n b'. l)ilkz'~lglon, f/calt½1 l)ircct.'r PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS HEALTH DEPARTMENT DENTAL PROGRAM FACILITY NEEDS Problem: The Health Department's dental trailer was purchased in 1980. It contains many of the original furnishings and equipment. The major pieces of dental equipment have begun to fail. The x-ray unit and suction unit were replaced this year. The compressor is failing and currently its use is limited to the point that patient volume is affected. In order to restore full operating capacity in the dental clinic, the compressor will have to be replaced at a cost of $2400-$2900. The unit has numerous cosmetic and safety problems. Each move takes approximately two weeks, which means eight-ten weeks of the year patients cannot be served in the unit. The trailer is difficult to transport and place on site. It must be moved by tractor and its size and electrical and plumbing requirements preclude its use at some schools. In addition, fire codes require anchoring of modular units which are installed on school property for more than four weeks. Thus, the unit would have to be permanently stationed at the Health Department, a school, or another site. The unit does not comply with ADA regulations and children in wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Proposal: Option 1: The Health Department would purchase a new self-driven mobile unit using funds currently appropriated in the county budget, revenue generated by the provision of dental services to children, and possibly grants. Current equipment would be transferred to the new unit wherever possible to reduce the purchase cost. The unit would be used five days a week to provide dental care for Medicaid or School Health Funds eligible children and perhaps could accommodate a limited number of Medicaid eligible adults on a space available basis. Option 2: The Health Department current dental unit could be sited at the Health Department until a decision is made regarding the future location of the Health Department. Cost: Option 1: A preliminary quote for a 40-foot unit with all new equipment is $199,000 - 240,000. With a $60,000 down payment, the balance could be paid off over a period of 6-8 years from revenue generated by the program. Another option is a 36-60 month lease at a cost of $3,999~$2,599 per month. Option 2: The cost for this alternative is $8,250, which includes moving the unit ($250), installing electrical and plumbing hookups ($5,000), and building a ramp and anchoring the unit ($3,000). In this scenario the dental unit would continue to be used 2-3 days per week. The current budget contains funds which could be used for this purpose.