Critical Need for Volunteers for Dental Van

Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 Sign up for your preferred dated and time

— from Jim Biddick —

For the past six years OICF has sponsored the MTI Dental Van serving approximately 120 patients yearly, but with the departure of Dr. Bailey we have lost our dental care for children and pregnant women due to the reimbursement structure of AppleCare. The County has stepped in to help with a stopgap measure to provide this dental care. From October 30 through November 2, Operation Smile, through the Arcora Foundation, will be on island to provide dental service to this segment of our island population. The van will be located at the Community Church in the parking lot to the left of the church. We have a critical need for volunteers to help out with registration and greeters for the week.

Operation Smile Van days and hours:

• Tuesday, October 30 from 8:30 – 12:00 and 12:30 – 4:00 (4 volunteers to assist with registration)
• Wednesday, October 31 from 8:30 – 12:00 and 12:30 – 4:00 (2 volunteers for check in)
• Thursday, November 1 from 8:30 – 12:00 and 12:30 – 4:00 (2 volunteers for check in)
• Friday, November 2 from 8:30 – 12:00 (2 volunteers for check in)

If you can help with a shift. please contact Jim Biddick directly at 360-376-2488 or via Email at jimsyled01@gmail.com

This is a separate dental van from the MTI Dental Van which was scheduled for Nov 2 & 3, but has been rescheduled to a later date.

As Hillary Canty of OICF points out:

“These vans are a stopgap measure. We really need to come up with a better plan. Dental health is critical. Over the next few months, OICF will be convening the local dentists and staffs to discuss a long term plan to address this continuing need. We have also reached out to the Arcora Foundation to learn more about their pilot test for integration of dental and medical practices. They have worked with UW Clinics elsewhere and perhaps they can help us identify a role for our local Docs. The inadequate Apple reimbursement rate needs to be addressed as well. It is a complex issue all around, but I am hopeful that this community is creative enough to figure this out.”