One year after the success of the inaugural Children’s Dental Health Day, members of the Clark County Dental Society wanted to repeat the activity, but with an even bigger effect on the population of low-income children in the community. On Saturday, February 9th, the first shift of volunteers was on hand at the Clark College School of Dental Hygiene well before the official 8:00 a.m. start. By 5:00 p.m., preventive, restorative, surgical, and endodontic care with a value of $114,000 had been performed, nearly double the amount of treatment donated last year.

This year some children had been pre-screened, allowing a “shotgun start” in the clinic. Classrooms served as screening rooms and waiting rooms. Thirty-two members of the dental society were joined by dental students from the Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) across the river to provide treatment. Students and faculty of the School of Dental Hygiene along with personnel from the Southwest Washington Public Health District, students from the Clark County Vocational Skills Center dental assisting program, and hygienists and assistants from the community pitched in. In all, there were 230 volunteers.

The mayor of Vancouver stopped by to cheer on the effort. Two of our legislators, Sen. Don Benton and Rep. Deb Wallace came to observe the operation and give it high praise. The local NBC television affiliate ran a piece on the event, and the local newspaper had a reporter on the scene. Organizers were able to obtain sponsorship from the Ronald McDonald Foundation and the Spirit of Clark County, a local group that fosters volunteerism.

The children themselves were center of attention, however. Their dental future is now looking brighter. Through the efforts and volunteerism of Clark County dentists on this day and with the ongoing Free Clinic, which operates out of a van, the waiting period for low-income children here to be seen for care is down to three weeks, and through an arrangement with OHSU, same-day care is available for emergent needs.

Clark County Skills Center

The Community Dental Clinic at the Clark County Skills Center provides the dental assisting students with quality, hands-on training, and the uninsured community with a viable option for dental care. Thank you to the following dentists who have given of their time and expertise by volunteering in the clinic during the 2007-2008 school year:

• Dr. Ted Caviness


• Dr. Minou Chau


• Dr. Matt Haehlen


• Dr. Ron Hsu


• Dr. Lyle Kelstrom


• Dr. Kirk Shillinger


• Dr. David Stinchfield


• Dr. Steven Wan