ERROR RG P4 25.7.1996 A story in yesterday's Community section incorrectly stated that the assistant director for nursing at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's Extended Care Unit was Sandra Lane. It is Sandra Allen. It also incorrectly reported that sedated patients were transported from St. Brendan's to King Edward for dental care.

Elderly patients now have something to smile about.

And it's all because dental hygienist Theresa Furbert took on the task of keeping their teeth and gums clean and disease-free.

Up until two years ago elderly patients in both St. Brendan's and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital were not receiving any dental care.

But due to a dream and lots of determination Mrs. Furbert put a change to that.

"After returning home from university in 1984, I saw the need for dental care in various rest homes but my prime concern was for the extended care unit at King Edward VII Memorial,'' Mrs. Furbert said.

"I often wondered who took care of the patient's oral health because I felt it was something I was able to do as I had been in private practice for 12 years,'' Mrs. Furbert said.

She added: "Several attempts were made to try and get a hospital dental care programme started.

"I spoke to many dentists who thought my idea was excellent, while others tried to discourage me.

"The idea was thrown back and forth for several years and in the back of my mind I knew some day it would happen.'' Mrs. Furbert said she got lucky when just over two years ago, at a Howard University alumni banquet, she discussed her idea with Dr. William McPhee.

"He took the proposal to the hospital board for consideration.'' She added: "A post was then made for a dental hygienist for the extended care unit.

"St. Brendan's was included as it has a large dental facility and the patients from the extended care unit were transported back and forth to St.

Brendan's each month.'' Mrs. Furbert said she felt that was too stressful for the patients who were in wheelchairs and for those who had been sedated.

"I felt that if we were able to have a dental facility at King Edward these problems would not occur.

"This was another bridge to cross.

"I knew that getting a dental surgery at the hospital was going to be costly but I also knew that with the Naval Air Station closing it was possible for us to get the dental equipment from there.'' She added that she contacted Government's chief dental officer Dr. Cecelia Nzablinda in reference to getting a dental chair donated from the vacated dental department.

"After getting the facility approved it was hard work getting it ready. But I am very pleased with the team effort and support the staff at the hospital gave me.

"Engineer Dayton Wharton was responsible for installing the foundation in order for the dental chair to operate.'' Mrs. Furbert also said that assistant director of nursing Sandra Lane and Dr.

Jewel Landy, who is the dentist for the programme, were very proud of her accomplishment.

"The programme has now been in effect for two and a half years at St.

Brendan's and at King Edward just over two months,'' Mrs. Furbert said, "And it is going very well.

"The dental care of patients at St. Brendan's was real bad and we have gotten that under control. There has been a good team effort from all the staff.

"They are very eager to learn how to care for their teeth and are amazed at the condition these elderly patients' mouths are in.

"I have heard from unit coordinators that now that the elderly patients are receiving dental care they are responding to them differently.

"They aren't as irritable which, at times, can stem from the discomfort they feel in their mouths with cavities, unclean dentures etc.'' Asked how she feels about her job Mrs. Furbert said: "I love my work and nothing satisfies me more than when chronic conditions slowly progress into a more healthy state.'' Mrs. Furbert has had a profound interest in dentistry since she was a child.

She attended Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry receiving a dental assistant certificate.

She then went on to receive a certificate in dental hygiene from Howard University.

"Working with the patients at St. Brendan's and the extended care unit is a challenge and at the same time rewarding.'' Mrs. Furbert added: "It's not just a job it's about caring and helping someone who is in need.'' A DREAM COME TRUE -- Dental hygienist Theresa Furbert is proud of her accomplishment, creating a dental facility at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.