FOUNDATION STORIES
How the Snohomish County Dental Foundation is working in our Community
Grant Recipient: LUMA NW (formerly ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF EVERETT)
BRIGHT START
The Snohomish County Dental Foundation is proud to partner with Luma NW (formerly the Assistance League of Everett) and their program, Bright Start, to help kids get a great start back to school!
Since 1965, Assistance League of Everett has had the privilege of providing school clothes to over 100,000 children and teens, one child at a time. Luma NW continues that tradition providing all preschool, elementary, and middle school students with an in-person shopping experience at our in-house “store” or a personalized bag of new clothing. Luma NW has agreements with 15 school districts throughout Snohomish County. Each Child receives a basic wardrobe including six pairs of socks, underwear, pants, a sweatshirt, a jacket, a pair of shoes and three shirts. Additionally, they make choose a book.
They also have a Teen Retail Program that allows older kids to pick out their own clothes. In partnership with local Fred Meyer stores, qualified high school students are provided with vouchers to shop for appropriate school attire. Students may choose clothing and shoes up to $150 in total cost. During the 2022 – 2023 year, Assistance League provided this shopping experience for 854 teens for a total benefit of over $107,000.
The Snohomish County Dental Foundation contributes $4,000 worth of dental hygiene supplies so every kid receives a new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. For some children, this is their first toothbrush. There is no better way to encourage basic oral health for all kids in our community. For more information on this wonderful organization, please check out this video that details Operation School Bell.
Grant Recipient: STILLY VALLEY HEALTH CONNECTIONS
TWO DENTAL VANS
The community of Darrington, Washington, in rural Snohomish County, sits in what is termed a "dental dessert". This means that there is virtually no access to dental resources within 45 miles. The community is economically challenged, as well as being isolated. In response to this need, the Snohomish County Dental Foundation funded two MTI dental vans to serve residents of this rural community. The first grant provided resource for 2024 and 2025. The second grant funded dental vans for 2025 and 2026. MTI dental vans provided much needed care to youth and adults who might otherwise have no options.
Grant Recipient: SEATTLE KING COUNTY CLINIC
Our Foundation contribution will help provide essential healthcare
and social services to thousands of deserving people in April 2026.
In a time of growing uncertainty and increasing barriers to care,
thousands of people across the region struggle to access and afford
basic health services. Over ten years, thanks to the extraordinary
collaboration of civic agencies, healthcare organizations, non-profits,
businesses, and volunteers, Seattle/King County Clinic has provided
$30 million in dental, vision, and medical services to more than 33,000
individuals. Community support not only helps people receive the care they
need - it also strengthens our community and inspires hope.
.jpg?sfvrsn=7e883b3b_0 "2026-Dental New Sensor thank you series (5)")
Grant Recipient: LAHAI HEALTH DENTAL CLINIC
The Snohomish County Dental Foundation recently awarded Lahai Health $1,500 toward the purchase of a new x-ray sensor to accompany a new x-ray machine.
Lahai Health was first launched in Seattle in 2003. The clinic offered medical, dental, and mental health services out of a church facility in North Seattle. In order to allow expansion of services, they purchased a mobile medical van in 2010 which permitted the clinic to eventually serve three additional cities with primary care clinics. In 2013, they launched their Mental Health Counseling program. In 2016, they opened a new and expanded dental clinic in Lynnwood, featuring five fully equipped dental operatories.
Lahai provides dental care on a sliding scale based on patient income, with charges ranging from 0-20 percent of prevailing community costs of care. They are committed to caring for underserved people regardless of ethnicity, religious background, or any other barriers they may have encountered elsewhere. The staff tells us, "This new equipment will greatly improve our patient’s experience in the chair, as well as ensure access to the best treatment plans."
Grant Recipient: SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Child Oral Health Initiative
In 2023, SCDF partnered with the local public health department to fund early childhood dental awareness materials for marginalized communities in our area. The Snohomish County Health Department (formerly Health District) designed and produced community materials with basic oral health information for children ages 0-2. The zine (a tiny, full-color brochure similar to a magazine) is available in six languages. The publication was debuted at Toothapalooza. It’s printed in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese, and is being distributed all over the county in the past month. At the request of Community Health Centers of Snohomish County’s Chief Dental Officer, the "Zine" is now being distributed to all 6 dental clinics across the county. Zines will also be shared with various social service agencies serving young children and their families, such as WIC clinics and Early Head Start & ECEAP centers, and agencies that support refugees. This is a fantastic way to educate the community on child oral health. We know that reaching children when they are young makes a dramatic difference in their lifelong oral well-being. Our Foundation is thrilled to be a part of this timely and innovative project. Snohomish County has seen a wave of international immigrants in the recent past. We are proud to be a supportive neighbor in welcoming them with information in their native languages.
