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IEC171991 <br />the jail, and it was suggested this equipment would suit that <br />purpose. There is no dental equipment in the jail at this time; <br />this would be new equipment. At the present time, the prisoners <br />are taken to the office of a local dentist. The problem is they <br />need to be transported, which breaches security, and some dentists <br />do not like prisoners walking through their waiting room. However, <br />state guidelines mandate the Sheriff make arrangements to handle <br />emergency dental situations. There is a contractual arrangement <br />with a dentist but Capt. Baird did not know the details. <br />Commissioner Scurlock was concerned with the various problems <br />involved in having a dentist treating prisoners at the jail. He <br />felt a dentist's office is better --equipped to handle 'complications <br />that sometimes arise, and the dentist and his assistants are better <br />able to function in a professionally equipped office, rather than <br />a portable unit in a jail where you have --the possibility of <br />contamination and transmitting diseases. <br />Capt. Baird said there is a traditional problem with finding <br />medical and dental care for prisoners. Health care providers do <br />not always want to take on the job. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked about our county health department <br />a <br />and was told they do not have a dentist. <br />Commissioner Wheeler recalled we cut the dental equipment and <br />dental lab from the health department because it is not essential. <br />Chairman Bird said there are mandates, but it can be done <br />either at the jail or elsewhere. <br />Capt. Baird agreed there are requirements that jails have to <br />be able to provide emergency dental care. The Sheriff is trying to <br />provide the care without having to transport the prisoners to a <br />dentist's office which, in the case of felons, requires two <br />certified officers to accompany the prisoner. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked how many prisoners needed dental <br />care last year and Capt. Baird believed the average was something <br />like five per week. <br />Purchasing Manager Fran Boynton detailed her involvement in <br />the purchase of the subject portable dental unit. When it first <br />appeared on the furnishings list, there were insufficient <br />specifications included. She made visits to the Sheriff's office <br />to determine exactly what it was they needed and this was the only <br />item available. <br />Chairman Bird asked if the dentist who is under contract <br />indicated a preference to having this equipment in the jail versus <br />bringing the prisoners to his office. He felt any professional <br />would prefer a fully equipped medical office. <br />�%ka <br />