Submitted by Orcas Community Resource Center.

Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, extending far beyond a bright smile. Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents common dental issues such as cavities and gum disease, which can significantly impact daily life. Furthermore, oral health is closely linked to systemic health; conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections have been associated with poor oral hygiene. Access to dental care can have far-reaching benefits for individuals and communities as a whole.

Community dental clinics are vital for ensuring equitable availability of oral healthcare, particularly in underserved areas. After logistics prevented the Medical Teams International dental van from continuing to operate on Orcas Island, establishing an alternative became imperative.

The formation of the new Community Dental Clinic was a collaborative effort involving several key organizations; Orcas Community Resource Center, Orcas Health Care District, Orcas Island Community Foundation, and San Juan County. The Community Dental Clinic promotes oral health and well-being by serving islanders on Medicaid or without dental insurance who cannot afford dental care.

Since its first day of operation on May 10, 2024 the clinic has served 34 people and has approximately 200 on the waiting list. Many thanks to Marsha Waunch for her VIP volunteer work, the Orcas Island Fire Department for temporarily hosting the clinic (a more permanent location is being sought out for the fall), and the clinic dentist, Dr. Jessica Dubek, who brings her staff from Bellingham under the non profit DentALL. Upcoming dates for Orcas Island (*denotes bilingual clinics): Aug, 16, 17*, 30, 31. Sept. 13 ,27, 28. Oct. 4, 5, 25, 26*

Ultimately, community dental clinics help bridge the gap in healthcare disparities, promoting healthier communities and improving quality of life for islanders. Interested individuals must submit an application at docs.sanjuanco.com/Forms/DentalProgram.