Dental van brings care to Sisters

You might have wondered what the story is behind that dental clinic on wheels you may see parked occasionally in front of the Kiwanis building on Main Avenue. The idea grew from the dream of Celia Grayson, who wanted to help break the cycle of poverty in Sisters.

She recognized that bad teeth can make a bad impression on employers during the hiring process and, because gum disease can lead to serious illnesses when regular cleanings are delayed for financial reasons, it may lead to missing work for medical appointments and recovery. The result is often unemployment.

When Grayson met Jan Failing, dental hygienist to husband Dr. Hank Failing, while hiking with a group from Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) over five years ago, the idea was hatched to start a preventive and restorative dental clinic for our adult community with no insurance, low or no income (following income guidelines of the Kiwanis Food Bank), as the two hiked around Sisters Country and talked about their dreams.

Dr. Failing had been retired for a couple of years and had plenty of projects around their old farmhouse, but missed his work, so he was excited about the prospect. Next Grayson approached Debbie Stumbaugh, who manages the "urgent care" dental van clinics in Central Oregon, and she jumped on board. This is the only preventive and restorative mobile dental clinic to routinely serve a city in this area.

Jeld-Wen donated the van that Stumbaugh, now Medical Teams International Dental Van manager and the only salaried member, drives all over Central and Eastern Oregon where she has volunteer dentists and hygienists ready to meet the needs of low-income patients in their towns.

Dr. Failing and his team, consisting of dental assistant Stumbaugh, hygienist Linda Robinson, and dental assistant Julie Mansfield (she and her husband own Sisters Olive & Nut), are kept on track by Jan Failing, who also helped run her husband's dental practice in Portland, as well as being a practicing hygienist and assistant. She juggles appointments for cleanings and dental care patients between two chairs inside the fully equipped dental van every month.

"The people we serve in the dental van are very appreciative of this service," says Failing. "They have a better track record for keeping appointments than patients in our private practice did. Also, there are so many community members in need that they are often scheduled two to three months in advance. Missing an appointment makes for a very long wait to be rescheduled."

In 2014, 108 patients were seen at the Sisters clinic and the value of services provided was $42,619.00 utilizing 240 volunteer hours. It costs $300 to bring the van to a location.

Kiwanis is a sponsor of the Sisters dental van and has worked with The Roundhouse Foundation to provide grant funding to cover the costs, and personal donations have been invaluable to sustaining the program. To make a tax-deductible donation to help keep the program running, make checks payable to Sisters Kiwanis with a note on the memo line, "dental van." Patients are also asked to invest $10 or whatever they can afford for cleanings, fillings, X-rays, and preventive dental care.

The Failings say they were fortunate to have had fulfilling and rewarding careers that now allow them to give back to the community.

"I have always enjoyed dentistry and am thankful I can still provide the service to those in need," Dr. Failing says. "But at some point I will retire from the dental van and I hope there will be someone to carry it on, because the need is certainly there."

"Sisters means the world to me," Jan says. "I love the people I've met through the clinic and am passionate about working on Kiwanis service projects for the community."

Most referrals for the dental van come from Family Access Network (FAN), local dentists, and by word of mouth. For information, contact FAN at 541-549-0155 or Jan Failing at 503-866-8063.