With extreme anxiety, John* waited to be seen at the Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Clinic (IMDC). Immediately, Krissie Dillon, Care & Connect Program Manager of IMDC, knew that John struggled with addiction.

His teeth were blackened by decay, a painful reminder of the neglect that came with addiction. He shared with Dillon that he was then 45 days sober.

To help ease John’s nervousness, Dillon gave him a tour of the 25 ft. mobile dental clinic located in front of the Evergreen Detox Clinic in Lynnwood. The waiting booth in the front, the adjacent admin desk, and the dental chair in the back.

Soon, John became comfortable enough to share his journey and the shame that kept him from seeking help for so long. He began to see hope.

Most patients feel self-conscious about the state of their teeth but become vulnerable and comfortable after they realize the clinic isn’t there to judge, Dillon said.

A certified dentist, along with a couple of volunteers, worked on John for close to an hour, taking the time to restore his front teeth with precision and care.

When John looked in the mirror, he saw a smile full of possibility.

“It’s very fulfilling, knowing we are helping people,” Dillion said.

Stories like John’s inspire Dillon to work with Medical Teams International, a faith-based global health organization founded in 1979. They operate in over 20 countries, providing medical and dental care to low-income families, homeless individuals, veterans, seniors, refugees and more.

The mobile dental clinics bring urgent care directly to those in need across the Pacific Northwest. Through funding from Verdant Health Commission, they can serve hundreds of patients in South Snohomish County.

“Verdant is supportive, we just get each other, and their mission aligns with what we are doing,” Dillion said.

Specifically at the Lynnwood location, the clinic sees patients in recovery from meth or fentanyl addiction, Dillion said. To her, working at the Lynnwood location is her favorite because she enjoys seeing people working hard to recover from their addictions.

The clinics are staffed by volunteer dentists, hygienists, and support staff. The volunteer-driven model offers high-quality care to patients at no cost, Dillon said.

In 2023 alone, the dental program served over 15,000 patients, delivering care valued at millions of dollars. There are 14 mobile dental clinics in Washington alone.

*John is a pseudonym to protect the identity of the patient