CARRIE TINGLEY DENTAL CLINIC

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CARRIE TINGLEY DENTAL CLINIC The dental clinic
at Carrie Tingley Hospital operates in
conjunction with the divisions of Dental
Services and Dental Hygiene. This clinic
provides care for people with disabilities only.
PROVIDERS Kimberly M . Espinoza, DDS
Elmer E. Gonzalez
, RDH, MS

• At Carrie Tingley Dental Clinic we are committed
  to support patients and their families by
  creating a family centered care approach to the
  treatment performed. Every patient is treated
  with dignity and respect and parents, caregivers
  or support staff are always welcome to remain
  with the patient to provide support as necessary.
  Our goal is to provide patients and their
  families the tools necessary to achieve optimum
  oral and systemic health through evidence based
  approaches and incorporating family values into
  our treatment.
• SERVICES
• Dental
• Dental Hygiene
• PATIENT ELEGIBILITY
• Children and adults with developmental
  disabilites
• INSURANCE
• Medicaid
• Private Insurance
• Self Pay
• At Carrie Tingley Dental Clinic we have the
  option of taking patients to the Operating Room
  at UNMH. Elegibility and other criteria must be
  met for this option..

STAFF Loretta A. Sanchez, Administrative
Assistant II (Receptionist) Norma A. Jaramillo,
DA Bernesteine L. Brown, DA Cecilia Espinoza, DA
As part of the University of New Mexico School
of Medicine, at Carrie Tingley Dental we also
work with dental residents, dental hygiene and
dental assistant students. Residents and dental
hygiene students rotate through the clinic in
order to enrich their career and to perhaps
increase the number of providers working with
people with disabilities in the United States.
To schedule an appointment or ask for a new
patient packet please contact us at (505)
272-5326. Currently we have a waitlist of
approximately 8-12 months The clinic is located
at 1127 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM
87102.
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Dr. Kimberly Espinoza is a fellow of the Academy
of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, a
component organization of the Special Care
Dentistry Association. She has been working at
UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital Dental Clinic since
2006, the same year she completed her Advanced
Education in General Dentistry residency at the
University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Dr.
Espinoza completed her dental degree at the
University of Southern California School of
Dentistry in 2004. Prior to dental school, she
attended Harvey Mudd College in Claremont,
California where she received a Bachelor of
Science, concentrating in molecular biology and
biophysics. Dr. Espinozas professional
interests include oral health for people with
developmental disabilities and public health. She
is currently enrolled in a Masters in Public
Health program, and is scheduled to complete the
degree in 2011. She is also interested in dental
education, medical sociology in relation to the
dental professions, and health policy. Dr.
Espinoza enjoys life with her husband Rafael
Howell-Flores, who is a classical and tango
musician. Together they enjoy cooking, hiking,
and spending time with their pets.  
Elmer E. Gonzalez, completed a LEND (Leadership
in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) fellowship in
2009 at the University of New Mexico Department
of Pediatrics /Center for Development and
Disability. He also received his Masters of
Science Degree from the Univesity of New Mexico
School of Medicine, Division of Dental Hygiene in
2010. Elmers professional thesis entitled
Training the Trainer Disabilities and Dental
Hygiene focused on training for caregivers and
support staff to understand the importance of
oral health among people with disabilities. His
previous careers included a Bachelor of Science
in Dental Hygiene received in 2008 and a Bachelor
of Arts in Spanish/minor Psychology received in
2005, both from UNM. Elmer has worked with
people with disabilities since 2002. His career
in the area of disabilities started at ARCA
working as a Residential Instructor (Direct care
staff) and has continued since. He has been at
Carrie Tingley since 2008 as a dental hygienist.
Elmer has volunteered several times at the New
Mexico Special Olympics and providing training in
oral health for people with Disabilities at ARCA
and other agencies in Albuquerque. He also
teaches the Special Care class at the school of
Dental Hygiene where he introduces dental hygiene
students to the area of disabilities and teaches
them the importance of having passionate and
caring providers to serve special populations.