Transforming Dental Care: How a Mobile Clinic is Bridging Health Gaps in East Whatcom

EAST WHATCOM COUNTY — Kathy Howard had a rough visit to the dentist last time. She ended up with an exposed tooth root that kept getting infected. So, when she saw a mobile dentistry van pulling up at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, she decided to give it another try.

“It’s so much easier to come here than to travel to dentist offices in town,” Howard explained.

During her visit, she spoke with Dr. Jessica Dubek, the founder of the clinic. Howard shared that she and her husband had faced ten years of homelessness before finally finding a home a few years ago.

“A lot of folks assume that losing teeth means you’re unclean,” she remarked. “But that’s not always the case. For me, it was all about not having the means to take care of my teeth while being homeless.”

Howard recalled staying behind a Walmart in Bellingham, saying with a chuckle, “Never again.”

In the U.S., there’s a common misconception that tooth loss is solely linked to drug use, but Howard stressed, “It’s often more about life circumstances. I simply couldn’t brush my teeth regularly."

This is what drives the DentALL mobile dental clinic. They aim to bring essential dental services to those who struggle with access to care. DentALL just started visiting the Maple Falls resource center, taking over from a similar mobile clinic that halted services last fall.

The clinic supports Medicaid and Medicare, and they provide free care for uninsured patients. They have upcoming visits scheduled for April and May.

Cassidy Bachman, a dental hygienist at DentALL, noted that many patients haven’t seen a dentist in a decade or more. “Even with Medicaid, a lot of places won’t accept it,” she mentioned.

Dr. Dubek founded DentALL after reflecting on her experiences at the Lummi Tribal Health Center. What began as a dental consulting firm transformed into a mobile clinic to reach more people effectively.

“There are so many obstacles for the populations we see,” Dubek explained. “By bringing care directly to them, we reduce those barriers.”

In Washington State, a staggering 38 of 39 counties are considered Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. A recent report found that only 23% of Washington residents on Medicaid received dental care in 2021, highlighting a significant gap in service.

DentALL serves patients in various locations, including Maple Falls, Recovery Cafe Skagit, and even the Whatcom County Jail. Dubek hopes to expand to more areas soon.

Funding for the clinic is currently limited, but community partners are working hard to secure more grants and private donations to continue the service.

The clinic also provides interpreting services in Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian, as navigating the healthcare system can be confusing for many. Dubek said, “We’re here to answer those questions: Do you know how to make an appointment? Can you sign up for insurance? Are your kids taken care of while you come here?”

In their mobile van, the team offers a private setting for appointments, making visits more comfortable. The noise of the generator fills the air, but patients appreciate the care they receive.

Lora Johnson found out about the clinic through her son’s Head Start program. She lives nearby and hadn’t seen a dentist in four or five years due to the cost. At DentALL, she was relieved to finally get a tooth extraction after experiencing pain for a long time.

“Every dentist visit I’ve had before came with pain and judgment about my teeth,” Johnson said. “But here, everyone was friendly and understanding.”

The mood at DentALL is different. “Patients are genuinely thankful,” Bachman observed.

For Howard, the dental visit offered hope. She has plans for more appointments with the clinic, and again she felt cared for while addressing her dental health.

In closing, mobile clinics like DentALL are filling an important gap in dental care, especially in underserved areas. They’re not just offering dental services; they’re building trust and making a real difference in the lives of many who have struggled to find the care they need.

For more about healthcare access, you can explore Washington’s oral health equity assessment.

Check out this related article: Boosting Canadian Health Research: CMAJ Calls for Action Amid U.S. Agency Funding Cuts