PDA’s 3-year Grant to Expand Dentist’ Access to Oregon Wellness Program

Emilie Portell Grants & Donations, Wellness

To directly help address stress and burnout during a prolonged global pandemic, Permanente Dental Associates (PDA) is partnering with the Oregon Dental Association (ODA) and the Oregon Wellness Program to offer free access to well-being resources to all licensed Oregon dentists

The PDA Board approved a three-year grant to fund dentist’ access to the Oregon Wellness Program, beginning September 1, 2021.

The Oregon Wellness Program was created in 2018 to promote Oregon healthcare professionals’ well-being through education, coordinated regional counseling services, telemedicine services and research.

The expansion of the state-wide program to include Oregon dentists means community dentists can now receive up to eight free counseling sessions with one of the OWP’s mental health providers, who are all experienced and vetted clinicians. A standardized process ensures consent and confidentiality.

“Clinical practice is challenging in and of itself, and when you add on the management of the business it can feel overwhelming at times,” says Dr. John Snyder, PDA executive dental director. “The last 16 months have only added to the stresses we already feel. You can’t possibly provide the quality of care to your patients without being truly well within yourself.”

As a large multi-specially group practice that for more than 45 years has been part of a larger integrated healthcare organization in the Northwest, PDA offers dentists, professional staff and their families access to myriad health, wellness and advocacy resources.

“Sponsoring access to the Oregon Wellness Program is one way we can support the broader community of dentists across the entire state of Oregon,” says Dr. Snyder.

Read more about the Oregon Dental Association and the Oregon Wellness Program.