Virginia Garcia Dental Hygienist Yadira Martinez was appointed this week by the Oregon Senate, following her nomination by Governor John Kitzhaber, to the Oregon Board of Dentistry. Yadira’s confirmation comes after 14 years at Virginia Garcia where she has worked as both a Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist.
Yadira is the child of migrant farmworkers and has lived in Washington County most of her life. After beginning her dental career at Virginia Garcia in 2000, Yadira enrolled at Pacific University in their Dental Hygiene program. She was the first recipient of the “Director’s Award,” which is the highest award presented to a graduate of this program. This honor is awarded to the student who most demonstrates a commitment to patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, cultural awareness, community outreach, professional leadership and promoting access to care for underserved populations. Additionally, Yadira received the Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals STAR Award and was selected for alumni membership in the Delta Delta Xi chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha.
Since 2008, Yadira has been a certified Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (EPDH) and provides care at Virginia Garcia’s OB Dental, Baby Days and School-Based Health Center programs.
“I’m immeasurably proud of Yadira’s appointment to the Board,” said Virginia Garcia Dental Director Lisa Bozzetti, DDS. “She is an integral member of our dental staff and she exemplifies the mission of Virginia Garcia. She will be a transformative member of the Board, lending a strong voice from the field of community health.”
The Board of Dentistry is the second oldest licensing board in Oregon, created by an act of the Legislature passed February 23, 1887.
The Mission of the Oregon Board of Dentistry is to protect the public by assuring that the citizens of Oregon receive the highest possible quality oral health care.
“I’m honored to join the Oregon Board of Dentistry and to have a role in shaping dental care for Oregonians. Working in community health, I have experienced how important it is for patients to have high quality and accessible care,” shared Yadira. “This is a way I can give back to the community through my passion for dental and community health.”
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center provides high quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate primary health care with a special emphasis on those with barriers to receiving health care. Since its founding 39 years ago, Virginia Garcia has grown from a grassroots volunteer-run clinic into a full service health care home serving Washington and Yamhill Counties. Today, Virginia Garcia employs over 450 people, has a budget of more than $40 million, and serves nearly 36,000 patients at five primary care clinics, four dental clinics, four school-based health centers and a mobile outreach clinic.
Visit www.virginiagarcia.org for more information on the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
