Letter: Dental school is a great service, don’t close it

Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 | 4:19 a.m.

February 19 - 20, 2005

This is in regard to the Sun's Feb. 15 article headlined, "Beers wants to pull dental school." I am a patient of the UNLV Dental School. It is apparent that Sen. Bob Beers does not support the school as he is proposing that it be closed. I wonder if Sen. Beers has visited the school and observed those patients in the waiting room, which is always full.

The dental school provides a great service to children in the Medicaid program, low-income families and senior citizens. It's the only way hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of Nevadans can afford dental care. If the school is closed, where will that leave these people who need dental care that is not affordable to them elsewhere?

The students really care about their patients and many of them will be staying in Nevada to practice dentistry. They are, or will be, homeowners who pay business taxes, employ others and greatly add to Nevada's economy.

I lost my dental insurance when I turned 65 and went on Medicare. Medicare does not provide dental coverage. The UNLV Dental School certainly provides a great service to us at affordable rates.

I imagine that Sen. Beers has good dental insurance and doesn't have to worry about his dental care. I wish I was so blessed.

SHIRLYE STEWART