You can’t miss the Bethel Kids Dental in Lodi, the bright purple exterior stands out against the many earth toned businesses along West Kettleman Lane.
Visitors are greeted by vibrant colors, biblical murals, a children’s play area, and televisions fitted with cartoons.
Dr. Ronaldo Opinga and his wife Joyce designed the clinic inside and out with children in mind.
“You know you want them to feel really comfortable, you know that they won’t get scared going to the dentist,” Joyce Opinga said.
Dr. Opinga searched the area for more than three years to find the perfect location for a dental clinic he could build and own himself. He says Lodi was the perfect place because it had a great need for a dentist who cares for children.
In December 2018, his dream came true when he opened his clinic. 90 percent of his patients come from either low-income or migrant families.
“No matter what insurance they have, we treat them the way we treat our kids,” Opinga, a father of three said.
However, the colors meant to keep children at ease have irked some in Lodi.
The Lodi city planner Craig Hoffman says his office has received a number of complaints about the office on West Kettleman street.
The color and boxy shape of the building were a few of the complaints he received from business owners and community members, Hoffman said.
The city’s development guidelines recommend that businesses avoid “overly vibrant colors.” It says colors should be selected to unify the building appearance and fit into the pedestrian conflict.
After concern from the city in March, the family paid to repaint their building to a lighter shade of the original purple.
The building owners say they hope they can keep the color and are in continued talks with the city over the matter. Although they’ve not received any official notice.
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