Dozens of Marshallese people in eastern Washington who don’t have access to dental care will have their teeth examined this week.
The Arcora Foundation is working with the group Smile Spokane to bring the foundation’s mobile dental unit to the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights. "We get patients in and check out their needs, kind of do an exam, and then, if it’s something we can take care of on the Smile Mobile, we do that," said Dr. Paul Phillips, an Omak dentist who will perform the exams. "But we almost always, also, though, help connect the patient to a local resource for continuing with their dental care.”
The Smile Mobile travels to communities all around the state. This visit to Airway Heights, Tuesday through Friday, is devoted to serving Marshallese people.
Carlinda Jabjulan is a member of the Marshallese community who has helped to spread word about the clinic’s visit. She says many Marshallese don’t seek medical and dental care because they don’t have transportation or they have trouble communicating in English. But she says people are excited about this opportunity.
“Some of them, they message me and ask are there any Marshallese people that will be there for if they need translation or something like that," she said.
If you want information about how to make an appointment, find it here.
Delta Dental and the Arcora Foundation are financial supporters of Spokane Public Radio.