wohf news calling all helping hands
WOHF at the Boys & Girls Clubs WSDA Members — You are invited to volunteer your skills to provide dental care and ensure good dental health through education for 200 children and their families. These children are members of the WOHF sponsored Boys & Girls Club. The dental clinic at the Rainier Vista location will appoint patients Friday and Saturday between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., (including orthodontic care every third Friday) with assistance from U.W. dental students when scheduling allows. An eager and competent dental assistant is always present. For further information and to arrange your time to volunteer please contact Ruth Abate via email at ruth@wsda.org. Thank you for your commitment to the underprivileged children!
For the past three years, the Washington Oral Health Foundation has managed the operatory at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Clubs with varying success, but not for the lack of Herculean effort by everyone involved. Staffing shortages and a patient base that has been slow to warm to the idea of free dentistry have stymied greater success that those involved know is possible. “Part of the problem was that Boys and Girls Club staff weren’t getting effective training about how to promote and utilize the facility,” said Ruth Abate, Director of Operations and Community Outreach for the Foundation, “And because they are our boots on the ground, working closely with the parents, we knew we had to figure out a better way to get the word out.” Working closely with B & G staff, Abate feels confident that the wrinkles have been ironed out, and has turned her attention to staffing. “It really is a fantastic way to give back to the community, and it doesn’t have to mean a huge time commitment,” she says. The WSDA News recently reached out to some of the dedicated volunteers who have worked in the facility to get their thoughts about staffing the operatory, they follow here. Abate says,“Now, with a full schedule open (please see Dr. Chan’s letter, above), we need your help more than ever.”
CALLING ALL
HELPING HANDS
I have been volunteering at the Rainier Vista Dental Clinic since December 2011. The reason I volunteer is simple, I want to help someone and contribute to my community. I particularly enjoy my time at the Rainier Vista Dental Clinic because it reminds me of my time as a club member when I was young and living in Hawaii. I remember all those who had an interest in me and my well being. The clinic staff have been so helpful and the patients, especially the kids, all have been so appreciative and kind. It has been my pleasure to contribute my time to the clinic and I plan to continue to do so in the future. — Dr. Susan Vetter Volunteering the Boys & Girls club has been very rewarding for me. Every time I go there, everyone is always so appreciative and hardworking; it makes what you do seem effortless and valued. The staff at the Boys & Girls Club go out of their way to make sure everything is how you’d like it to be, and in a small clinic setting like that, it really feels good. This place is clean, and the atmosphere is relaxed. You have all the instruments, technology, and space to take care of these kids. We work hard during the week, and I know adding another day can be tiring but going there you will feel lifted. What you do means so much to the children
and staff. The kids listen and really appreciate what you are doing for them. The best part of the day is when the child is done, and without anyone prompting them they will say “Thank you”. And they mean it. — Dr. Thoa Nguyen I am thankful that there are opportunities like the Rainier Vista dental clinic right here in our home town where I can use my gifts and talents to help other people directly. Every time I go there, I leave with the kids and adults I treat giving me more than I feel that I gave them. The people are so grateful and there is a tremendous dental need that I do not see in the suburbs. With only one chair, I get to focus entirely on the patient with out other distractions. Because of April Perry, the clinic runs well. She takes care of the schedule and is so helpful in assisting me with the patients and the charting. All I have to do is show up and do the dentistry. I always leave with a smile on my face. I am looking forward to helping improve the clinic by adding digital x-rays, and other needed dental supplies in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the clinic. Thanks to WOHF for providing this great place to serve those who are much in need of dental care. — Dr. Robert Odegard
2 0 · th e wsda ne w s · issue 1, october · 2013 · www.wsda.org