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My Neighborhood News Network has partnered with the Verdant Health Commission to profile the work of local nonprofits that advance the health of our whole community.
Lahai Health, which provides free and low-cost medical, dental and mental health care at six locations in King and Snohomish Counties, enhances the lives of our most financially vulnerable neighbors.
Elsa, originally from Ethiopia and now a Lynnwood resident, recently benefited from Lahai’s charitable dental services. Last year she was experiencing intense dental pain and asked a friend at church about finding care. He happened to be a Lahai board member, so connected her to its dental clinic in the Community Life Center in Lynnwood.
Lahai’s dentist, Dr. Lily Lou, extracted Elsa’s broken teeth and filled several cavities. “The impact has been amazing,” Elsa said. “There was an infection causing pain. God answered my prayer for my teeth, and I am very happy. Before I couldn’t afford a dentist, so I am very happy to have found Lahai.” She then had a partial denture made to restore her ability to eat normally.
“It has been an honor to meet and work with Elsa,” Lou said. “Her infectious smile and glowing personality shine in spite of her financial struggles and life circumstances that have prevented her from receiving dental care for many years. I am grateful that our board member connected Elsa to us, and that we were able to address her dental needs and serve her as a patient.”
Elsa is just one of 1,911 patients who were served by Lahai’s dental team of six in 2025: Lou, a hygienist, two dental assistants, an office manager and a scheduler. “We were blessed with an additional volunteer dentist coming in two days a week to enhance our ability to see more patients and reduce our waiting list,” said Molly Delamarter, Lahai’s senior director of development.
Dental care is provided on a sliding scale based on patient income, with charges ranging from free to 20% of the prevailing community cost of care. Services include exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, dentures and simple root canals.
Lahai was started in Seattle in 2003 by concerned physicians and volunteers to meet the health needs of financially vulnerable people. To keep pace with increasing patient numbers, in 2010 the organization purchased a mobile medical clinic (MMC) to deliver services directly to communities with the highest needs.
Today the MMC provides clinics at two Lynnwood locations (Alderwood Compassion Center and Community Life Center) and at two Everett sites (Bethany Compassion Center and Connect Casino Road). Lahai also operates two clinics in North Seattle.
Last year, Lahai boasted a healthy volunteer team of 594 and performed 5,808 appointments with patients and clients. It provides translation services at no cost to patients and is committed to caring for underserved people regardless of ethnicity, race, religious background, gender identification, sexual orientation or immigration status.
To schedule an appointment at any location, call (English) 206-363-4105 ext. 230 or (Español) 206-363-4105 ext. 233. For information about volunteer opportunities, call 206-899-4754 or mail [email protected].
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