Orcas Voices: The Dental Van Answers Needs

— by Sally Buchanan —

In 2012 the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities issued a report detailing the needs and experiences of people living in poverty in Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties. Among the key findings was the need for affordable dental care for adults. That report reflected the health and access-to-care problems found across the three counties along with the increasing awareness of the importance of sound dental care to overall health. The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) reacted immediately to the report by contacting Island dentists to obtain their input on the problem. It was clear that indeed there was a problem here, and they were responding, but there were more challenges on Orcas than they could meet with free or reduced fees.

At an organizational meeting held at OICF Rita Bailey pointed out that San Juan Island was providing free dental care for adults with a Medical Teams International van that came to the island quarterly for two days each visit. The van was soundly equipped with technology that was approved by a team of dentists. San Juan dentists and dental technicians volunteered to staff the van and funding was provided with a grant to a local non-profit. After some discussion with the San Juan non-profit it was determined that Orcas needed to organize and provide care independently. Rita Bailey offered to talk with the Community Church about their participation and to coordinate the dental van visits while recruiting local dentists and technicians. Funding for the initial two-day van visit was provided by a small grant from OICF. It included costs for the van and driver, lodging and food accommodations, and publicity about the opportunity with sign up and instructions for how to apply. OICF and Rita Bailey asked Barbara Ehrmantraut to participate in the dental van visits by recruiting, organizing, and signing up participants as well as handling all the required health privacy requirements. Rita would be responsible for reading applications, determining needs, and scheduling appointments. The Lions Club volunteered to sign in people for appointments and to help calm nervousness and provide rides if needed. The Community Church offered a place to park the van, the electricity required for the van, and comfortable waiting room space for project staff and patients. Volunteers provided refreshments, lunch and drinks.

Everybody who was asked to help with the new community outreach effort responded with a resounding “Yes.” All Orcas Island dentists are involved with the Dental Van Project. Drs. Bailey and Ivan in the van itself and Dr. Triplett by setting aside a day a month at his office for free extractions. The van cannot handle some of the more challenging cases so dentists off island offer reduced services or occasionally come to Orcas to relieve our local dentists. Drs. Brar and Rodgers are two of them. Each visit also involves the time of our local dental technicians who volunteer the equivalent of eight days per year to the success of the outreach project. An anonymous friend has paid for dentures for four Islanders. The Orcas Library has made paper applications for appointments available inside the library as well as a box outside for dropping off applications.

The van is starting its fourth year of service to Orcas Island on February 19 and 20. The need of free or low cost dental service for adults is still great according to the newest (2015) Whatcom Coalition study. The challenge of funding the van and driver has been made possible here on Orcas with the donations from a number of Islanders and the continuing gifts of lodging and food for the driver. OICF provides coordination and organization when needed. In the past three years approximately $100,000 worth of dental services have been performed free of charge by our Island dentists and technicians in addition to the anonymous gifts that help maintain the outreach project. Many hundreds of hours of Orcas volunteer time have made all this possible with the guidance of Rita Bailey and Barbara Ehrmantraut.

On every two day visit of the dental van four times a year 30-40 adult Islanders are seen and helped. When necessary, return visits are scheduled. There is a waiting list so signing up early is important to be guaranteed an appointment during one of the van visits. If you or someone you know requires free or low cost dental service, appointments may be made on-line at orcasdentalvan@gmail.com or through paper applications found at the Orcas Library or at the Orcas Community Resource Center. Any questions may be directed to Barbara Ehrmantraut at 376-3395. She will return your call.

Other communities continue to be astonished at the outreach that Orcas Islanders provide to this community both in funding and in the work of volunteers. Many non-profits here on Orcas reach out daily to address age-specific as well as other important needs with practical ideas and suggestions not to mention the hours spent in fund-raising and in donation of time and expertise. The many voices of Orcas island continue to work together making this a very special place to live, work, and raise families.