Health Care
for Everyone

(COVID-19) Vaccine Updates

We are committed to keeping patients safe and informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get information on vaccines here. Find COVID-19 related news and resources here. Find information about how we are working to keep patients safe and what to expect at your next appointment here.

Unity Care NW Medical Director Barbara Clure On Getting Vaccinated

Learn how Dr. Clure approached the vaccine [Watch Video Now]

Accepting New Patients for Children’s Dental Now

Why Is regular dental care for kids important?

A “Smile Survey” is conducted every five years by the Washington State Department of Health to assess the oral health and dental treatment needs of children.  In Whatcom County, over 2,000 preschoolers, kindergarteners, and second and third graders at 15 elementary schools received a brief oral health screening. The survey showed that more than half of all third graders and almost 38 percent of kindergarteners experienced tooth decay.

Tooth decay happens when the bacteria break down tooth enamel (the hard, white part) leaving a hole in the tooth. If it is not treated, it will become larger and could eventually get into the nerve, causing a toothache.  Untreated tooth decay can also lead to difficulty speaking, chewing, sleep problems, and higher rates of chronic disease as adults. Identifying problems early, treating decay, and preventing cavities are all critical to help kids grow up healthy.

What can you do to help improve your child’s oral health?

• Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride and sealants. Sealants are protective coatings that are placed on permanent molars. They can prevent 80 percent of cavities in the back teeth, where 9 out of 10 cavities occur. Fluoride varnish, a concentrated form of fluoride that is painted on teeth, can lower tooth decay by about one-third.
• Take your children to a dentist when teeth first emerge or at their first birthday. A dentist can do an examination to ensure that any problems are detected and treated early. Call Unity Care NW at (360) 676-6177 to schedule an appointment.

July is Minority Mental Health Month

On average, it takes 11 years for Americans with mental health symptoms to receive treatment due to stigma around mental illness and a national shortage of mental health care professionals.

Racial and ethnic minority communities face barriers to accessing health care in general and mental health care in particular. According to the National Alliance for Mental Health, while 45% of all U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2019, Asian, Black and Hispanic Americans were far less likely to receive treatment:

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for racial and ethnic minority groups to get access to mental health and substance-use treatment services. It doesn’t have to be this way. Unity Care NW’s Behavioral Health Services are available to all patients. If anxiety, depression or other factors are keeping you from enjoying life, we’re here to help. Call us at (360) 676-6177 or toll-free (877) 235-6850 to schedule an appointment today.

Learn the common warning signs of mental illness and how to take charge of your mental health.