Eye Care
In August
2004, BridgeBuilders entered into a collaborative
agreement with the University of Houston, further
extending the clinic’s ability to offer ophthalmic
services. With this agreement in place, the clinic
has a full-time managing physician, Dr. Joe DeLoach,
current chair of the Texas Optometry Board and
visiting professor at the University of Houston.
There is a rotating staff of six to eight optometric students via an extern program required
by U of H. This sizable staff has allowed the clinic
to offer free eye examinations and glasses, when
needed, to 45-55 patients each day with more than 9,000 patients receiving care since the clinic opened. More than
11,000 pair of glasses at $15.00 a pair have been made and distributed. This fee covers the cost of supplies and training expenses. Optical companies throughout the US donate lens and frames to the BridgeBuilders Eye Clinic. The clinic focuses on glaucoma education due to the vast number of undiagnosed cases among the poor.
Dental Care
BridgeBuilders, in partnership with
ServingHIM Ministries and Dr. Kevin Seidler, opened a dental clinic on July 9,
2005 in the Rhoads Terrace Housing Development. This site is truly a "lighthouse for hope" for hundreds of children, youth and adults who are seeking quality dental care. Volunteer dentists and hygienists have completed more than 1000 appointments since 2005. The needy and under-served receive examinations and treatment for $10.00 a visit. Partials and dentures, at varying prices, are available with work completed in the on-site BridgeBuilders laboratory. The clinic is open one Thursday a month for pediatric care, one Friday a month and each Saturday for general dentistry from 8:00am to 12:30pm. Dental hygiene is available Fridays and the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments can be made by telephone or in person.
As of October 2007, the Dental Hygiene program at Collin County Community College added the BridgeBuilders Dental Clinic as a training site. Two Tuesdays a month, 9am to 3pm, interns will treat patients under the supervision of a retired dentist. The Dental Hygiene program at Collin County Community College has been awarded exemplary status by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is accredited by The Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association (ADA). BridgeBuilders is thrilled to include this exemplary college as a partner. The true beneficiaries are the many, many people who need dental care and education and cannot afford it.
Medical Partners
Optical
University of Houston School of Optometry
Essilor USA
Wal-Mart Optical
Glimmerglass Optical
Dental
Serving HIM Ministry
Burkhart Dental Supply
Dallas County Dental Society
Collin County Dental Hygiene | 
