NorthShore Medical and One Community Health Partner to Bring Dental Care to Klickitat and Skamania Counties
The two healthcare providers look to bring increased dental health services to Klickitat and Skamania counties where dental care is consistently identified by community members as a top health need
White Salmon, WA, April 17, 2023 – One Community Health (OCH) and NorthShore Medical Group (NSMG) – two of the region’s largest providers of primary care services – are teaming up to bring increased dental care to the Gorge’s Washington residents. Specifically, they are looking to expand access for people in western Klickitat and Skamania counties with Apple Health or no dental insurance. OCH is a Federally Qualified Health Center and receives funding from the federal government to provide services to people with Medicaid or without health insurance. NSMG is a community-based practice, serving residents of the Columbia River Gorge.
“Dental care is an important part of our overall health,” says Dr. Allen LaBerge of NSMG. “We are working to get services to our community as soon as possible while also increasing access to dental services in the long term.”
In the short term, the two organizations have applied for grant funding to launch mobile dental health services in Skamania and western Klickitat counties. The grant application came about after providers on OCH’s mobile medical clinic, named La Clínica, identified dental services as a top unmet need for the patients they serve. OCH recently received a Department of Health license to operate mobile health services in Washington.
“Our goal since we launched our mobile health clinic in 2022 has been to provide services in Washington, so we are very excited to have completed the regulatory requirements to better serve our Washington patients,” says OCH Chief Executive Officer Max Janasik. “We want to supplement the wonderful care already happening by organizations like NorthShore to reach areas and communities with challenges accessing in-clinic services. We know that our Washington patients often forego dental care until they are in severe pain and we want to change that by coming to where they live and work to overcome systemic barriers like lack of transportation or the ability to take time off work. We recognize that driving to Hood River or The Dalles is not realistic for many of our Washington patients. That’s where our mobile services can really help.”
The two organizations will work together to further clarify community needs and plan for longer-term solutions, such as a permanent dental clinic in an accessible location. The focus is bringing additional dentists and preventative dental services, including emergency dental care, to the area to serve people with Apple Health or no dental insurance.
“There is power in collaboration, and we know that this issue can’t be solved alone. Teaming up allows us to pool our resources to bring the best care possible to our Washington Gorge community,” says Dr. LaBerge.
About One Community Health
One Community Health (OCH) is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center with physical locations in The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon, and two mobile medical units. Formerly known as La Clínica del Cariño Family Health Care Center, Inc., it was founded in 1986 and today has evolved into an official Patient-Centered Primary Care Home recognized as the Best Primary Care Clinic of 2019 by the Central Oregon Independent Practice Association. OCH currently provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and outreach services to more than 23,000 patients. In addition, OCH excels in providing educational programs and support that reflect an integrated approach to health and wellbeing. Dedicated to advancing health and social justice for all its community members, OCH serves patients from the Mid-Columbia River Gorge Region: Wasco, Hood River, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties.
About North Shore Medical Group
NorthShore is committed to providing comprehensive care for the communities it serves, helping individuals and families achieve good health and wellness through a network of dedicated healthcare providers recognized as leaders in their areas of practice. Founded in 1974 and formerly known as Mid Columbia Family Health Center, NSMG has offices located in White Salmon and Stevenson. Open 7 days a week, they provide medical and behavioral health services to more than 18,000 patients throughout the Gorge: Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, and Wasco counties. NSMG is an award-winning teaching site for the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dept. of Family Medicine
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