Dental health is vital to a person’s overall health
Dental health is vital to a person's overall health
Good dental health is far more important than a bright smile—it plays a meaningful role in your overall well-being. Your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory systems, and when it’s not healthy, harmful bacteria can spread and contribute to broader health problems. Conditions like gum disease have been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and even respiratory infections, showing just how connected oral health is to the rest of the body. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy helps reduce inflammation and lowers the risk of these serious conditions.
Brushing and flossing daily are important in maintaining good oral health. But regular dental checkups are also necessary to detect early signs of dental decay and disease that might otherwise go unnoticed. Dentists are often the first to spot symptoms that signal larger health concerns, making routine visits an essential part of preventive care.
The dentists at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic work to keep your whole mouth, not just your teeth, healthy. Our family dentistry program provides comprehensive oral care, and our dental team is here to address any issues or concerns you may have about your oral health.
Because dental health is so important, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic is always looking for new ways to expand dental accessibility in Washington and Oregon. We are currently working on our new Miramar Dental building, next door to Miramar Health Center in Kennewick. This is a joint project between Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Pacific Northwest University (PNWU). Major construction is mostly complete, and work has moved on to exterior finishing and roughing in the interior of the new 18,111 square foot building.
“Right now, we are scheduled to be complete at the end of June,” said Jeff Breymeyer, Vice President of Facilities for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. “We will be moving in the month of July, and students will start on the 3rd of August.”
Miramar Dental will serve as a learning center for PNWU’s newly launched School of Dental Medicine. Students will train under the guidance of PNWU faculty and improve access to dental care in the region.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to community-based training and care,” said Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, Founding Dean of the PNWU School of Dental Medicine. “By giving students early and immersive clinical experiences and preparing them to serve where they are most needed, we are building a stronger, more equitable future for health care in our region.”
This project supports our mission of transforming our communities through compassionate, individualized care and eliminating barriers to health and well-being. Good oral health contributes to your quality of life, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic is here to help ensure the long-term health of your teeth and mouth.