YAKIMA VALLEY FARM WORKERS – UNIFY COMMUNITY HEALTH in SPOKANE , WA
Dr . Kimberly Siler , Dental Director
YAKIMA VALLEY FARM WORKERS CLINIC first opened in 1973 and has since grown into one of the largest community health centers in the Northwest , with over 40 clinics in 18 communities across Washington and Oregon . They have placed their clinics in neighborhoods where it ’ s been the hardest to get to a doctor . Employees embrace the philosophy ,
“ Together we are dedicated to lead , with the courage to care , the determination to promote personal growth , and the compassion to champion the cause of those who have no voice .”
At no time was it more important than during the early months of the pandemic , that employees of the dental clinic be a champion for their patients who had no voice .
Mid-March , Yakima Valley Farm Workers transitioned to emergency care only . The health center pre-COVID was seeing an average of 500 patients weekly and during COVID that number dropped to 35 patients a week . They went from three providers down to one with each dentist on a two-week rotation – two weeks off , then two weeks on . Their hygienist was furloughed and only two assistants were kept on to provide support services . The front office staff went from 5 people down to 2 .
OFFICE STAFF MEMBER , MELISSA FOUST , TAKING THE TEMPERATURE OF A PATIENT BEFORE SHE CAN BE TREATED .
With decreased staff resources , the health center began to use Teledentistry to triage patients and identify who needed an in-person visit . The biggest challenge was determining what was considered an “ emergency ” and communicating this to their patients . “ It was difficult to turn patients away and tell them their concern wasn ’ t dire enough ,” said Dr . Kimberly Siler . While many sites across the country have seen much success with Teledentistry , Dr . Siler said they no longer use it , now that patients have been able to return for inperson treatment . The health center received feedback from patients that “ they didn ’ t like it ” and felt that dentistry “ can ’ t be done over a computer .”
Throughout the pandemic , Unify Community Health was committed to serving its patients in need and providing support to their employees during a time of uncertainty and fear . Since the state has allowed elective procedures , patients and staff have returned to the health center , grateful and proud to serve .
DR . BRYANNA MARTIN
AEGD ALUMNA ‘ 20
“ I found the most challenging part of working through COVID was continuing to make the patient feel comfortable , relaxed , and safe . While we were protected wearing a face shield , N95 or KN95 mask , non-permeable lab coat or covering and loupes or safety glasses , I was often asked by patients if they were safe in the clinic since we were covered , but they were not . I had to explain how PPE is used and what extra precautions we were taking to assure everyone ’ s safety .”
DR . KIMBERLY SILER ( RIGHT ) WITH CURRENT RESIDENT , DR . CHUN ZHOU
ISSUE 11 JOURNAL 1 NOVEMBER 2020
9