Thousands Receive Free Dental, Vision and Medical Services at 11th Annual Seattle/King County Clinic
April 28, 2026 (SEATTLE) – Seattle/King County Clinic returned for its 11th year April 23–26 at Seattle Center, once again demonstrating the power of community-based action in the face of growing healthcare gaps. Over four days, more than 3,100 people received free dental, vision, medical and social services, thanks to the dedication of over 5,000 clinical and non-clinical volunteers.
Led by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, the Clinic is a collaborative effort among civic agencies, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and businesses, serving as a healthcare lifeline for underserved individuals. Clinic offerings were extensive, including dental fillings and extractions, eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, primary care, behavioral health, immunizations, laboratory tests, mammograms, ultrasounds, x-rays, social work, and more.
Demand was unprecedented, with the first patients lining up more than 18 hours before the Clinic opened. “We were deeply concerned that reductions in insurance subsidies, changes to Medicaid eligibility, and other federal policy shifts would drive more individuals and families to need our services,” said Julia Colson, Project Executive. “This year, those concerns were realized: we saw a significant increase in people seeking support, as gaps in coverage and affordability left them with few other options.”
Contrary to some community assumptions, patients came from an array of backgrounds and circumstances. Using more than 40 languages, 56% of patients reported being uninsured, 31% were unemployed, and only 4% were unhoused. Most face multiple barriers when seeking healthcare, chief among them being cost, with over half identifying it as their primary obstacle. Many had been unable to address their health issues elsewhere; 44% of patients reported waiting seven months or more to receive care.
Rick Arnold, MD, Medical Director of the Clinic, reflected, “At a time when more and more members of our community are losing access to care, the Clinic’s work is critical — both for our patients and for empowering volunteers with a sense of agency as they do what they can to help mitigate the harm.” Arnold added, “I am always moved by the relief on patients’ faces thanks to the care they receive and from finally feeling cared about. That reminds me why we do this work.”
Since 2014, Seattle/King County Clinic has saved 36,000 patients approximately $33 million in out-of-pocket healthcare costs. This year’s event reaffirmed that more must be done to address healthcare barriers.
About Seattle/King County Clinic
Seattle/King County Clinic, a project led by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, is the largest community-driven health clinic of its kind in the United States. Uniting healthcare organizations, civic agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and thousands of volunteers, the Clinic transforms Seattle Center’s facilities into a comprehensive healthcare operation. It provides free dental, vision, medical, and social services to individuals who face barriers to accessing and affording essential care. The Clinic reflects what Seattle Center is at its core: a civic entity that brings people together to support one another and meet real community needs.
About Clinic Partners
Several organizations collaborate to produce Seattle/King County Clinic and contribute needed resources and expertise, including:
141 Eyewear · Amazon · American Association of Endodontists Foundation · AMN Healthcare · APTA Washington · Arcora Foundation · Auston James Photography · Avero Diagnostics · Bellevue Dentistry · Cambia Health Foundation · CISC · Cisco Systems · Climate Pledge Arena · Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University · DCG ONE · Dentsply Sirona · Envista Smile Project · Foothills Dental Services · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · Friends of the Seattle Public Library · Grousemont Foundation · Gull Industries · Heidelberg Engineering · Henry Schein · HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response · International Community Health Services · Kaiser Permanente · King County Medical Society · King County Metro · King County Nurses Association · KLS Martin LP · Lucky Seven Foundation · Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization · Mediterranean Inn · Microsoft · Nashi Immigrants Health Board · National Association of Social Workers · Neighborcare Health · The Norcliffe Foundation · Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society · Oakview Group Hospitality · OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation · Opticians Association of WA · Optometric Physicians of WA · Optum Care Washington · Pacific Office Automation · Patterson Dental · Patterson Foundation · Peer Seattle · PhenoPath · Philips Healthcare · Project Access Northwest · Providence Swedish · Public Health – Seattle & King County · Quest Diagnostics · SeaMar Community Health Centers · Seattle Center · Seattle Center Foundation · Seattle Department of Neighborhoods · Seattle Fire Department · Seattle Housing Authority · Seattle Information Technology · Seattle-King County Dental Society · Seattle Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs · Seattle Police Department · Seattle Roots Community Health · Snohomish County Dental Society & Foundation · Solventum · T-Mobile · Underwood Gartland Development · Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle · UW Medicine – Family Medicine · UW School of Dentistry · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health · Vision Technologies · Vitalogy Foundation · VOSH Northwest · Washington 211 · WA Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons · WA Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Association · WA Dental Hygienists' Association · WA Emergency Nurses Association · WA Healthcare Access Alliance · WA Immigrant Solidarity Network · WA State Dental Association · WA State Dental Laboratory Association · WA State Department of Health · WA State Medical Association · WA State Nurses Association · WA State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Contact
Keegan Prosser | keegan@teamsoapbox.com 253-380-4684
