LA PUSH — The Quileute Tribal Health Center has been awarded a $140,000 grant from the Arcora Foundation to expand dental care access for American Indians, Alaska natives and children from low-income families on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The grant will enable the health center to replace outdated dental equipment, including three treatment areas and a sterilization station.
Currently, only two of the three treatment areas are functional, limiting patient care. The new equipment is expected to increase the clinic’s capacity, allowing it to serve an additional 287 patients annually.
The grant to the Quileute Tribal Health Center (QHC) is part of a $340,000 initiative by the Arcora Foundation, which also awarded $130,000 to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians’ Camas Center Medical and Dental Clinic and $70,000 to One Community Health, a community health center.
“Our health center plays a vital role in addressing critical oral health care needs in our community,” said Quileute Tribal Council Chairman Douglas Woodruff Jr.
“Arcora Foundation’s support and partnership mean even more people will have a chance to live healthier and fuller lives through improved oral health,” Woodruff said.
The QHC dental clinic provides care to all enrolled Quileute members, those from other federally recognized tribes and their descendants. It also serves children with Apple Health (Medicaid) in La Push and nearby communities, addressing oral health needs.
“Beyond the updates to the dental clinic, this grant is a meaningful commitment to expand access to care for people the Quileute Health Center serves, so no one is left behind,” said Arcora Foundation President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif. “Arcora is proud to partner with the Quileute Nation to ensure more people — especially those who have been historically underinvested in — can access the care they need when, where and how they need it.”
The enhanced dental capacity is expected to be fully operational by early 2025. According to federal data, parts of Clallam County, including the Olympic Peninsula, face shortages of dental professionals.
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Reporting intern Christopher Urquia is a student at Peninsula College. He can be reached by email at christopher.urquia@peninsuladailynews.com.
