Washington Dental Service Building for Early Childhood Oral Health (ECOH)

Learn more about the UW’s Pediatric Dentistry Clinic

Internal demolition has commenced on the Washington Dental Service Building for Early Childhood Oral Health (ECOH), Spring 2009

Scheduled to open in September 2010, Building 25 will be converted from the naval base’s air traffic control tower to a regional center for pediatric dentistry. The multi-million project is a collaboration between the UW School of Dentistry and Seattle Children’s, and was catalyzed by a $5 million gift from the Washington Dental Service and the Washington Dental Service Foundation. Their gift allows the ECOH program to effectively double the number of pediatric dental visits between the two institutions, provides a central location for dental cases performed under general anesthesia, and will also include an emphasis on teaching and seeking better models of pediatric oral health care delivery.

While construction continues, ECOH staff have been focusing on marketing and community outreach efforts to educate parents, providers and others about early childhood oral health. Recent contacts have been established with individuals and organizations including NeighborCare, Seattle Public Schools and the Center for Children with Special Needs, and others.

Dr. Joel Berg directs the program in his dual role as the Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Director of Dentistry at Seattle Children’s. Sara Paul is program manager, while Dana Robinson Slote serves as the community outreach and marketing manager.