Submitted by: Unity Care NW
Necessity is the mother of invention, says an old English proverb. Never before has this never been truer than during this current COVID-19 crisis. At Unity Care NW, we have adapted, altered, and created numerous procedures and practices to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our patients.
Limited in our ability to provide behavioral health services? We took advantage of telehealth options to support patients during the crisis.
Need curbside pharmacy prescription pick-up and payment options? We set up a pick-up process and altered a current database and merchant processer to make easy online payment possible.
Need to screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms before they enter our health centers? We quickly put up tents and outdoor check-in, which have now been replaced with shipping containers.
Ordered by the Governor to limit dental care to emergencies so that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be preserved for medical providers? We redeployed our Dental Assistants (DA’s) to help screen patients. They were then able to reserve most of their PPE for our medical department and front-line staff.
With the current pandemic affecting all our lives, it’s important to remember that there’s much about our physical, oral, and mental health that we can control. During these stressful times, we can stay present and savor the positive parts of our day. We can still go outside and take a walk, maintaining 6-feet of physical distance from others that is, or find a new online exercise routine to do at home.
With access to dental hygiene services limited across Washington State until at least mid-May, we can make sure to keep brushing and flossing our teeth. But if you find that you have an emergency dental need, Unity Care NW is here for you! We are open to all Whatcom County residents for emergency appointments. We accept Medicaid (Apple Health) and private insurance, and we offer a Sliding Fee Discount Program that can help with dental costs if you are uninsured.
If you are in need, you can call (360) 676-6177 to schedule an appointment or visit our website for more information. We are here for your emergency dental needs, always, and after the crisis, we will be back to providing for our patients’ regular dental needs as well.
Get more information and resources on COVID-19 on Unity Care NW’s website by clicking here. Find out more about Unity Care NW’s dental program by clicking here. Want to help support Unity Care NW’s efforts during this time of crisis? Click here to donate.
