Back by popular demand: the ‘Tooth Mobile’

Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, the Redmond-based Tooth Mobile provides basic dental care for those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. Its crew provided more than $12,900 in dental services, in 51 hours of volunteer work, for 28 different patients during a two-day visit in mid-January.

Fish for Teeth, San Juan County public health and San Juan Island Dental Health Coalition have teamed up again to bring the “Tooth Mobile” back to Friday Harbor for a second visit this year.

The mobile dental van will be at the Mullis Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, for patients with scheduled appointments. Apply in advance for an appointment at the county public health office, 145 Rhone St., at the Family Resource Center, 476 Market St., or download an application form online at the Fish for Teeth website; www.fishforteeth.com/

The dental van’s crew provided more than $12,900 in dental services, in 51 hours of volunteer work, for 28 different patients over the course of its two-day visit in mid-January.

Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, the Redmond-based Tooth Mobile provides basic dental care for those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. Its visits to Friday Harbor are funded primarily by Fish for Teeth, a local non-profit, private donations, and are supported by county public health.

A locally-based non-profit, Fish for Teeth partners with local agencies, such as San Juan County public health, in offering services for underinsured and low-income patients.

Fish tacos prepared by Fish for Teeth founder Matt Marinkovich and crew, as well as halibut filets, will also be available for purchase as part of a companion May 5 fundraiser, co-hosted by Islanders Insurance, San Juan Chiropractic and Spring Street International School.

The fundraiser begins at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Islanders Insurance and San Juan Chiropractic, 545 Spring St. Proceeds go directly to fund Tooth Mobile visits. For info, 378-4686.