My name is Sally Wiedeman, I am an Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist with the Native American Rehabilitation Association, also known as NARA NW, in Portland, OR. I started my journey in Public Health in 2016 when NARA first opened their dental clinic. In 2018, I was given the opportunity to design and implement a Dental Outreach Program integrating dental services into our organization’s Adult Treatment Facility for Substance Use and our Youth Treatment Facility for Substance Use. Utilizing portable equipment and the help of an amazing Dental Assistant and Dentist, we were able to provide comprehensive dental care to patients in FQHC in-patient treatment facilities, becoming one of the first and I believe still the only FQHC treatment facilities to offer onsite Dental, Medical, and Behavioral Health services. In 2021, I left NARA to continue my career in Public Health to manage the setup of a new Community Health Dental Clinic in my hometown on the Oregon Coast. In 2023, I returned to NARA Dental Clinic where I have been able to continue to grow the Dental Outreach program.
The moments that inspire me are being able to provide onsite dental care to youth and adults that are in recovery for substance abuse. I have an amazing and unique opportunity to break down barriers by meeting patients where they are. Seeing patients smile, laugh, and be brought to tears because for the first time in a very long time they are not in pain, is heartwarming. They are excited to smile, more confident, and are motivated to continue with their dental care outside of treatment.
One of the most memorable patient Interactions is with a 38-year-old patient that I first saw a year and half ago when he entered our inpatient treatment facility. He had not had dental treatment in 20 years, he removed his own brackets from braces (every tooth had bonding stuck to the facial), had multiple restorative needs, and severe periodontal disease. During his time in treatment, he completed all 4 quadrants of SRP and half of his restorative needs. After graduating from inpatient, he moved in with family and started going to daily meetings at our Outpatient facility. I currently see him every 3 months for his routine periodontal maintenance, he has completed all his restorative needs, and he has remained sober going on 2 years. He has such a big personality that he brings joy to everyone in the office. I always know my day will end on a good note when he is on my schedule.
What keeps me inspired and excited in my career is the ability to continue to increase access of care to the underserved population. I started our Dental Outreach Program in 2018 providing services at the Adult and Youth Treatment facilities. Since then, I have integrated dental services into our monthly Diabetes Clinic hosted by our medical team, our new Outpatient facility, Child Development Centers, and other community events. And I know there are still more avenues to explore to keep integrating services.