The Kelowna Gospel Mission says it has had an “11th hour” reprieve for impending closure of it dental clinic.
On Wednesday, the Gospel Mission announced it would have to close the clinic at the end of June because of a lack of dentists to work shifts there.
But on Thursday afternoon, mission executive director Randy Benson said a number of local dentists had come forward to offer to work shifts during July and August and UBCO, which trains dentists, said it would “rejig” its operations to provide coverage during those two months as well.
“This is great news,” said Benson, adding finding dentists to work at the clinic over the summer will give the mission more time to try and work out a permanent way to keep the clinic open.
The clinic, which provides dental services for free to the homeless, underwent a major modernization makeover with new donated equipment two years ago.
It is manned by volunteer dentists who take time out of their own practices to help treat people.
Benson said the clinic is now slated to stay open until at least the end of August.
