A fully equipped Dental Clinic rolled onto Orcas yesterday to provide a free clinic for our community. Over 70 islanders applied for services and Rita Bailey, scheduler extraordinaire, has signed up 30 for treatment during the two days the van is on Orcas.
Treatment is being provided by our local dentists and staff. Dr. Brenda Ivans explained that she was seeing patients on the edge of serious infection that would lead to extraction without immediate help. Other patients had not been to a dentist in over 30 years. Some had such sore mouths that they had difficulty eating. Several were in constant pain. (The team hopes to bring the van back in June to help those folks who could not get in this time.)
The team of volunteers were ebullient. The work they were doing today was changing lives. They loved the van and how well equipped it is. They were all excited to figure out a way to sustain the visits.
Medical Team International, the van operator, has also offered to connect local patients with needs greater than can be served on the van with a clinic in Mt. Vernon that will provide the follow up treatment as needed. Rita Bailey has already engaged the local Lions club to provide transportation. It is truly a remarkable gift.
Special thanks go to the Community Church for providing both the space for the van and room for reception and recovery, Jim Connell for providing lunches for the volunteers, Susan and Wally Gudgell for providing a condo for the Med Team staff and her husband, and to the Lions, Orcas Angels, and Odd Fellows for providing support.
And a huge thank you to the dentists and their staff for their pro bono work. Rita Bailey has been the heart of this effort and deserves bountiful thanks and a good nights sleep!
Finally, thank you to the Orcas Island Community Foundation Board, who have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy in looking at our community needs and finding ways to meet them. When it became apparent that access to dental care was a challenge for many neighbors, OICF reached out to a team including Orcas Family Connections Erin O’Dell, County Health Nurse, Tamara Joyner, and Rita Bailey to bring the Dental Van to our community.
Today, our community is a healthier one, thanks to the work of so many.
Thank you!
Hilary Canty
Executive Director, Orcas Island Community Foundation
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