News & Information > News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2010

CONTACT: Melanie Mowry Etters Communications Director (850) 488-4257

Agency Expands Dental Care for People with Disabilities

MIAMI, FL—The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), in partnership with a Miami dentist, will open the Bay Harbor Complete Dentistry clinic on Monday, October 25, with a ribbon-cutting and news conference at 11 a.m. A clinic open house will follow. The dental clinic is located at 1090 Kane Concourse (96th Street), Suite 204, in Bay Harbor Islands.

APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine and dentist Jonathan Tuman, D.D.S., will speak at the Grand Opening ceremony. Two individuals with disabilities who will use the clinic, Alvin Crosby and Alexander Gonzalez, will talk about the great need for this type of dental care. October is Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Children and adults with developmental disabilities in Dade and Monroe counties who have been unable to find dental care will be able to use the clinic.

APD eligible people, including those on the waiting list for waiver services, may receive cleanings, screenings, X-rays, and other specialized services at reduced cost or with financial assistance.

APD Director DeBeaugrine said, "This is the agency's second community clinic in the state to help people with developmental disabilities get the services they need. Dental care is a basic need, and APD is committed to looking for partnership opportunities, like this one with Dr. Tuman, to help those we serve. I am sure hundreds of people in South Florida will be happier and healthier because of this new initiative."

Dr. Tuman said, "This project of providing health care to individuals with developmental disabilities within the special needs community has been a dream of mine for many years. I am thrilled and honored to be part of this history-making event."

To make an appointment at the dental clinic, contact the APD Area 11 office in Miami at (305) 349-1478.

The agency annually serves about 35,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities of mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CAREs or visit http://apdcares.org.