Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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Seattle's Union Gospel Mission: Reaching Out and Touching Lives Since 1932
by Jonathan Su, DDS, volunteer dentist at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission Dental Clinic
Since 2001, I have been coming to the dental clinic at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission, treating the patients that have come in need of the Mission's help. I always enjoy my time here in the clinic. I consider the one day each month that I am here as a welcome retreat from the day to day responsibilities of running my dental practice.
When I first started volunteering at the Mission, we treated mostly the men from Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. Now, our dental services have reached out to their missions in Seattle. We also treat women and children from the Mission's Women and Children Shelter.
The clinic is equipped in all aspects of dentistry including oral surgery, root canals, periodontal treatment, fillings, partials & dentures, and dental cleanings. There are full dental cleanings. There is a full staff of volunteers who are eager to assist chair-side as well as help out at the front desk to answer phones and file charts.
Every volunteer day brings a new challenge. Many of the people who come in have not had dental treatment in many years. As a result, some cases do become difficult to treat. But with the various resources we have in the clinic, we are able to fulfill the needs of our patients.
Volunteering in the Mission's Dental Clinic has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. It continues to enrich my life. I will have the privilege of embarking on a trip to Guatemala with some of the volunteer dentists, hygienists and assistants this July.
As a volunteer, I see the tremendous need for dental care in our homeless and underprivileged populations in Seattle. As a dental professional, I am blessed with a unique skill that very few people have. With this highly needed skill, I have a great sense of duty to help those in need of my knowledge and resources. The privileges we have as people can benefit others in ways we may not realize, nor imagine. I encourage any one with our special gift to give to others. If you are a dental professional, I encourage you to contact Juanita at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission and offer your services.
We are blessed to be touched by the wonderful souls who come through our doors with nothing but hope in their eyes, who look for our guidance and help through tough times and in dental pain. Let us spread the richness and wealth in ourselves to help the men and women in Seattle's Union Gospel Mission Dental Clinic.
For more information about volunteering at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission and their Dental Clinic, contact Juanita Banks at (206) 621-7695 or email her at jbanks@ugm.org.
The Washington Volunteer/Retired* Providers Malpractice Insurance Program is funded by the Washington State Department of Health and managed through the Western Washington Area Health Education Center.
*The definition of "retired has been expanded to include providers with site-specific malpractice insurance coverage.
For more information, or to sign up as a participating provider, please contact Christine Lindquist at WWAHEC.
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
or
Page updated 9/6/06