Fish for Teeth sponsoring San Juan Island Community Dental Clinic

Submitted by Fish for Teeth

Fish for Teeth, the non-profit tooth-fixing organization located on San Juan Island, is going strong after the first year sponsoring our very own San Juan Island Community Dental Clinic. Local volunteer dental professionals set up shop for these one-day clinics, four times a year, to provide dental care to those who otherwise cannot afford the care, or afford to take time off work to receive the care off-island.

Dental care available at these clinics includes dental exams, x-rays, hygiene services, extractions, fillings, and dentures. These 2024 community dental clinics are thanks to a partnership with Fish for Teeth, San Juan County Health and Community Services, and a grant from the North Sound Accountable Communities of Health Local Impact Network.

This first year of the Fish for Teeth Community Dental Clinic provided dental care to close to 100 patients, with over $80,000 worth of dental treatment, provided at four one-day dental clinics. The estimated funding need for these clinics is around $30,000 annually, which in 2024 was shared by Fish for Teeth, SJCHCS, and the LIN grant. This is the final year of the LIN grant, so in 2025 there will be a stepped-up need for community support to sustain these dental clinics.

In addition to supporting the Community Dental Clinic, Fish for Teeth provided accommodations to off-island dental professionals last May to staff a School Based Sealant program where dentists and hygienists provided school-based services for those wanting to be seen. At this two-day clinic, 54 students received services, with 29 students getting sealants (114 teeth sealed), 46 received dental cleanings, and 9 receiving dental referrals. There were oral health education presentations at 12 classrooms, with the dental hygienist providing dental instruction to 252 students. This program was through a partnership with SJCHCS and Community Health Centers of Snohomish County.

Currently Fish for Teeth’s main funding source is its Fish Taco fundraiser, which is happening on Friday, November 15 at Brickworks from 11am-1:30pm. Another small income stream is provided by the Fish for Teeth “Penny-Smashing Machine,” which for 51-cents produces a wonderful souvenir pressed-penny of Friday Harbor/San Juan Island. The Penny Smasher is located in front of Friday Harbor Drug, and also has a receptacle for receipts from Kings Market, which kicks-back 1% of receipt totals to Fish for Teeth.

The simplest and most cost-effective way to support Fish for Teeth is through a direct donation, which can be done through the website, www.fishforteeth.com. Fish for Teeth is a 100% volunteer organization, with no employees, and therefore has the highest donation-to-benefit ratio (basically 100%) that can be attained. 100% of your donation will go directly to benefit providing dental care to islanders who cannot otherwise afford the care.

Upcoming dental clinic dates for San Juan Island are: Feb. 21; May 16; August 1; and Nov. 14.

You are eligible for care at the Community Dental Clinic if you are in need of dental treatment and are uninsured or unable to afford care, or on Apple Health. An application for just the Friday Harbor clinic is available at www.fishforteeth.com, or a broader range of dental services is provided through SJCHS at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2063/Dental-Clinics. Fill out an online application and the Dental Access Coordinator will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. If you are having trouble filling out the application online, please call the Health Department at 360-378-4474 and they will be happy to assist you. Please note that the SJCHS staff is working hard to help everyone access care.