By Aneesa Grant, The Seattle Medium
Seattle/King County Clinic is set to return to Seattle Center for its eighth year from April 27 to 30, offering free dental, medical, and vision care services to those who struggle to access or afford healthcare. The clinic will operate on a first-come, first-served basis and patients may park free of charge at the Mercer Street Parking Garage each day. Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center, located at the corner of 2nd Ave North and Lenny Wilkens Way, will serve as the ticket waiting and distribution area where free admission tickets for the day will be distributed starting at 5:30 a.m. The Clinic opens at 6:30 a.m.
The Clinic transforms the form and function of multiple Seattle Center facilities where services are provided. The licensed healthcare professionals and general support volunteers who staff the clinic donate their time and expertise. Patients receive real and, in many instances, extensive care, including dental fillings and extractions, eye examinations, physicals, behavioral healthcare, social work, prescription eyeglasses, immunizations, laboratory tests, mammograms, ultrasounds, X-rays, and much more.
According to the organizers, the Clinic is open to everyone regardless of their residency, and they do not require identification at registration. Interpretation services are available for those who need them, and patients can return to the Clinic on other days for additional services if they cannot receive both dental and eye care in one day. Face masks are required and people who are feeling sick are asked not to attend.
Since 2014, Seattle/King County Clinic has served more than 24,000 patients and provided more than $20 million in direct services. Patients from across the region represented more than 127 unique zip codes and spoke 30 primary languages. Patients were families, elders, veterans, immigrants, refugees, people experiencing homelessness, and, in large part, wage earners who struggle with the high cost of living.
“Following the pandemic, there are still a lot of unmet healthcare needs,” explained Julia Colson, Clinic Director. “This Clinic is a testament to the community in how we as individuals and organizations can come together to not only provide care that improves quality of life, but treat people with honor and respect, ensuring that each person feels valued. Our hope is that they can return to our community stronger and better able to participate.”
Vanetta Abdellatif, Arcora Foundation president and CEO, said, “Good oral health is essential for good overall health. While the Seattle/King County Clinic provides much-needed dental care and other services, we must do more to ensure everyone can access care when and where they need it throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond.”
The traveling state-of-the-art dental clinic, SmileMobile, will also participate in the 2023 Seattle/King County Clinic, offering dental care services such as cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and root canals. Patients can also be referred to DentistLink, a no-cost referral service for people with Apple Health (Medicaid) or with no insurance fully funded by Arcora and the Washington State Health Care Authority.
In a statement, one patient expressed gratitude towards the clinic, “I really appreciate the generous time, efforts, kindness, and care given to all of us who are in need. It gives hope to know that while going through tough financial times, I could find a place to go, take care of myself and stay healthy.”
The clinic will run from Thursday through Sunday, and admission is free. Patients are encouraged to come prepared for a long day with comfortable clothing, food, water, and any daily medications. For more information about the Clinic, visit https://seattlecenter.org/skcclinic or call 206-684-7200.
