Arcora Foundation expects 4,000 patients at massive free clinic Oct 26-29

The Arcora Foundation and its mobile dental clinic, the SmileMobile, will join an estimated 4,000 volunteers and organizations at the 2017 Seattle/King County Clinic, a large-scale effort to deliver free health care at Seattle Center.

The Seattle/King County Clinic, organized by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, is expected to provide dental, medical and vision care to upwards of 4,000 individuals at no cost from October 26-29. As in the previous three years, organizers anticipate that the majority of patients will seek dental treatments. The Clinic’s dental services include extractions, fillings, cleanings, crowns and root canals.

Patients from all four corners of Washington State flock to the pop-up clinic for care each year, but an overwhelming majority (76 percent in 2016) reported living in King County, including the communities of Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Bellevue, Auburn and Shoreline.

“In spite of our region’s economic prosperity, unmet healthcare needs persist in King County,” said King County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair Rod Dembowski. “The Seattle/King County Clinic is a testament to our community’s unwavering commitment to compassionately addressing the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

This is the fourth consecutive year of the Seattle/King County Clinic. Last year, 2,485 patients received an estimated $2.06 million in dental care, with extractions being the most common dental procedure. Overall, the Clinic served 4,492 patients and provided a total of $3.9 million in dental, vision and medical care.

“The Seattle/King County Clinic provides important short-term relief for the people, but the need is great,” said Arcora Foundation President and CEO Diane Oakes. “Our state should have a system that ensures everyone has access to oral health care. Oral health is essential to overall health and wellbeing."

The Seattle/King County Clinic will operate October 26-29 at Seattle Center. Admission tickets are distributed in Fisher Pavilion. Doors open at 12:30 midnight each day for shelter and waiting. The free admission tickets are given first come, first served starting at 5am each morning. Patients are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, and bring food, water and any medications they need to take during the day.

More information here

Arcora Foundation, formerly Washington Dental Service Foundation, is founded and sustained by Delta Dental of Washington, a nonprofit organization that is the leading dental benefits company in the state. Arcora is dedicated to improving overall health through sustainable programs and public policies that improve oral health.