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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2001
DENTAL
SERVICES OFFERED TO THURSTON COUNTY POOR OLYMPIA -- A special partnership is making dental services available to those county residents who are below the poverty level and have no insurance available for such services. A special dental van will visit the Olympia area for the first time on Wednesday, September 26th. The program is being done with the cooperation of several organizations including the Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Northwest Medical Teams International and the Thurston County Health Department Olympia Union Gospel Mission director George Wehnes says, "We are pleased to be able to help offer these services to those less fortunate individuals who would have no other way to gain access to care for dental problems. It fits in well with our mission of helping people break the cycle of homelessness. We see people on a daily basis who need this kind of assistance including some who have an urgent need for care." Northwest Medical Teams International is a faith-based volunteer medical group that concentrates on providing medical assistance and emergency aid around the world. In the northwest, 360 mobile dental clinic volunteers have served more than 10,000 people in Washington and Oregon. The Thurston County Health Department has helped to coordinate the grant money to cover the costs of the dental van and has assisted Olympia Union Gospel Mission in setting up the program and in creating the application process for clients. Other partners in the program include the Thurston County Oral Health Coalition, Thurston-Mason Counties Dental Society, the Thurston County Community Health Task Force and CHOICE Regional Health Network. Those wishing to receive dental care under this special program should call the Olympia Union Gospel Mission at 360-943-6400. A special message at that number will instruct individuals on how to proceed. NEWS REPORTERS- Those wishing to cover the actual use of the dental van should call George Wehnes for assistance. (360-709-9725) |
