Volunteering for VIMO's Dental Clinic
Thank you for your interest in helping serve the overwhelming need for emergency dental care on the Olympic Peninsula. Currently we are recruiting volunteer Dentists, Hygienists, trained Dental Assistants and volunteer front office staff.
What We Do:
At this time we are attempting to meet the most basic needs of relieving pain and infection to those without other avenues for care. Primarily this care is limited to antibiotic prescriptions and extractions.
Considerations:
Licensed professionals need a current WA state license. If you are a retired provider without malpractice insurance, the state of WA will provide insurance through the state retired provider malpractice program, WWAHEC. You can access information and an application for coverage by clicking here.
Volunteer Today!
Join our team for a meaningful experience that truly will make a difference.
Please call 457-4431 or email info@vimoclinic.org for more information.
You can learn more by visiting our Volunteer page, or download a volunteer application.*
(*This PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat.)
Click Here for Volunteer Calendar
VIMO Dental
General Organizational Information
VIMO is a primary care medical clinic, staffed by volunteers, active and retired physicians, ARNPs, physician assistants, RNs, pharmacists, and support staff.
The mission statement:
To improve the quality of life for people on the Olympic Peninsula by providing for the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved.
VIMO offers its services at no charge. The clinic serves adults living on the North Olympic Peninsula, primarily in central and west Clallam County. VIMO offers acute medical care, chronic disease management, prescription and referral assistance and behavioral health treatment.
The clinic has three part time paid staff members who help to coordinate the real workforce of volunteer providers and support staff who donate nearly 6000 hours per year to helping improve the lives of families and individuals in Clallam County. Funds provided through the United Way are leveraged through the volunteer base and result in the only health care alternative to the individuals served. In 2010 the clinic provided 3554 visits to 919 individuals from Clallam County.
Dental Division
VIMO is committed to provide at least emergency dental care to the citizens of Clallam County. I will do so by:
- Developing a dental program managed by VIMO
- Establish access to emergency dental services to those individuals without adequate insurance and are below 200% of the FPL
Program Description
In February of 2011 Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCap) discontinued its Oral Health Program. This program was the only publicly subsidized dental program in Clallam and Jefferson Counties. OlyCAP began the development of a seven chair dental clinic in Port Angeles to serve low income clients. The clinic had grown since 2005, reaching over 7500 registered patients in 2010, providing nearly 6000
encounters for 2724 individuals. The Center saw over 1,000 dental emergencies in 2010, relieving pressure on area emergency rooms. The Oral Health Center clinic was located in Port Angeles and opened a satellite office in Forks in 2010. This program served a two-county catchment area comprised of Clallam and Jefferson Counties. The low-income individuals who were able to receive care at this facility now have no access to oral health care. In addition Washington State Medicaid no longer provides adult dental care services. There are no options for emergent care for pain and infection let alone any semblance of routine or preventative oral health care.
VIMO recognizes the need and has developed a program to address this lack of access to health care in Clallam County.
The purpose of the program is to develop a volunteer dental program and to fund the initial phase of care delivery. The first phase of care delivery will be emergent only for the relief of pain and infection. The program will develop an initial scope of service based on emergent dental care. In this model the cost per service in supplies can be small. OlyCap has agreed to provide dental clinical space and equipment for the start up phase of the program. Providers have been recruited to staff the program.
A VIMO dental committee made up of local dental professionals has been formed and has developed the first phase of the program. Since the dental care will be delivered by local providers it was felt that these providers should determine the model for care.
Case coordination of the volunteer base and the patient will be provided by VIMO.
Program to Date
Scope of Care
· VIMO dental program patients will receive emergency only treatment for pain and infection.
· Patients will be scheduled on a first come - first served basis.
· Patients will be provided one tooth per day treatment.
· No services needing laboratory service will be provided.
Local Funding Partners
· OMC
· United Way of Clallam County
· The City of Port Angeles
· Clallam County
Facility
· OlyCap’s seven chair dental facility has been donated for use for the first phase of emergent dental care delivery.
· Working agreements have been made with Pierce College for space sharing and infection control
Providers
· Strong support to provide limited volunteer dental care delivery by the 42 private dental practitioners in Clallam County.
· Recruitment of volunteer providers is currently underway.
Dental Clinic Documents