First published January 9th, 2025 by Medical Teams International
Medical Teams International is excited to announce the addition of two new 39-foot mobile clinic vehicles to its fleet of nine, made possible through the generosity and partnership of numerous corporate and foundation donors. Medical Teams’ mobile clinics are lifelines for underserved neighbors in communities throughout Oregon and Washington, offering free dental and medical care to people who otherwise might not have access.
Each big, red, new Medical Teams vehicle has two state-of-the-art dental operatories, one reception area, and one sanitizing area. The reception area has a slide-out panel allowing more space for patients to wait for their appointments inside. Another new feature is a TV outside for waiting patients and community partners to learn about the importance of whole-body health as it relates to oral health.
For 35 years, Medical Teams has provided free mobile dental care through these clinics. The demand for dental care brings many people to the mobile health clinics, but it’s often not their only unmet health need – patients struggle with issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health concerns. Many don’t have a medical or dental home to provide continual, long-term care. Through its nationally recognized Care & Connect program, Medical Teams delivers services that connect patients to health, dental, and primary care as they serve their emergent needs. After providing dental care, the staff come alongside patients to make referrals, help them enroll in federal programs, and connect them to ongoing care. MTI fills gaps in a way that complements the care of existing providers.
In the Pacific Northwest, many people struggle to access basic medical and dental care. The cost of care is high, and insurance doesn’t cover many critical treatments. People lack the resources, time and transportation to get to clinics. Barriers like language and immigration status also keep people from getting care. Care & Connect breaks down these barriers by providing free, mobile, medical and dental care. The mobile health clinics travel to people with unmet health needs, like seniors, veterans, the BIPOC community, farm workers, people experiencing houselessness, and native tribal entities. They provide urgent dental care and screenings for chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. This is how they care for the whole person. This is how they remind people in crisis that they matter and are not alone.
“Medical Teams is deeply grateful to our partners who have supported us over the years and on this particular project. These include Providence Health & Services in Oregon, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, A-dec, and The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound. Their dedication to building healthier communities fuels Care & Connect and is enabling us to offer the highest quality of care and to grow the program.”
— Joe DiCarlo, Interim Executive Director of U.S. Programs for Medical Teams. “
About Medical Teams International
Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict zones and natural disasters. Daring to love like Jesus, we care for the whole person and serve all people. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.
Watch this video about the new mobile clinics:
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