Cleopatra White Polyclinic’s Dental Clinic Reopens!

The Central Health Region Dental Department today officially reopened the dental clinic at Cleopatra White Polyclinic II in Belize City.  The dental clinic was closed back in May of last year due to financial constraints but renovations began back in March 2019. Services at the newly renovated dental clinic include examination, medication, surgical extraction, and minor surgeries. News Five attended today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

When you don’t care for your teeth you may face a number of health problems, from loss of teeth and gum disease toheart diseases and diabetes-related issues. And so to make it easier for you to see a dentist, the Cleopatra White Polyclinic Two in Belize City just upgraded its dental clinic and reopened to the public.

Melinda Guerra

Melinda Guerra, Regional Health Manager, Central Health Region

“With the renovated dental facility here at the Cleopatra White Polyclinicwe remain optimistic with high expectations that the services will continue and be of a high quality and that more people from our communities will access the dental services.”

The clinic’s upgrades cost over twenty thousand dollars. Dental health officials say that the clinic plays a critical role in the Central Health Region because it improves access to the demand for preventative services and dental care.

Raphael Samos

Dr. Raphael Samos, Senior Dental Surgeon, M.O.H.W.

“In Belize, over the years the population of persons accessing dental services has increased and as such there is a greater demand. From a population of twenty-nine thousand which was recorded in 2009 has increased to forty-one thousand two-hundred and thirty-six patients accessing the ten dental clinics countrywide.”

The dental clinic boasts a strong dental education program with five different groups. The Maternal Child Health program is an important part of this initiative.

Melinda Guerra

“Pregnant woman accessing the services at our public health facilities are referred on a routine basis to our dentistas maternal oral health has significant implications for birth outcomes and infant oral health. Oral health problems during pregnancy has been associated with pre-termed birth; the development of preeclampsia and delivery of a small for gestational age infant.”

But in keeping the dental services accessible, the dental team and patients are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, for that reason the Ministry of Health and Wellness says there is a strong focus on preventative measures at the facility.

Michel Chebat

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness

“And although the nature of this profession is of high risk due to the close proximity to patients, we want to ensure that all our dental staff continue with best practices in the infection control measures, regulate aerosol contamination in the clinic and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Last year during the start of the pandemic the dental department and services were forced to reduce their services due to the challenges COVID-19 brought to Belize.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.