The DWW Mobile Dental Clinic officially opened its doors on October 12, 2024, bringing much-needed dental care to Santa Barbara’s unsheltered population. This new initiative was born from the partnership between Dr. Matt Carmody and Doctors Without Walls (DWW). It is an exciting new chapter in the organization’s mission to serve vulnerable populations with high-quality care.
Dr. Carmody, who began collaborating with DWW in June 2022, had previously been involved in providing dental care at DWW’s Park Clinics at Alameda Park. With the encouragement of DWW, Dr. Carmody helped spearhead the creation of the Mobile Dental Clinic. This clinic offers a wide array of services, including exams, X-rays, fillings, extractions, and referrals for more complex treatments.
Dr. Carmody’s journey began at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, where he trained in complex dental cases and specialties like orthodontics and endodontics. His passion for providing compassionate care to underserved populations led him to Santa Barbara, where he works at Pathway Dental Group. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Carmody ensures clear communication with his patients while offering essential services to the community.
As a pre-dental student and Communications Coordinator for DWW, I, Blake Sanchez, have been thrilled to be part of the initial stages of this new venture. I joined DWW in October 2023 and quickly recognized the potential impact of mobile dentistry on vulnerable populations. With my background in working with underserved communities in Latin America and my passion for dental health, I felt a deep connection to the idea of bringing dental care directly to those who need it most.
“My time working with underserved populations abroad, particularly in Latin America, made it crystal clear to me just how much dental health can be neglected when people lack access to care,” I reflected. “I’ve seen firsthand how individuals, even in their twenties or thirties, had never seen a dentist. These were people raising children who, likely, would grow up with the same lack of dental education. That experience was eye-opening, and it made me more passionate than ever about bringing accessible care to vulnerable populations.”
While there is often a focus on urgent medical care, dental care can often fall by the wayside. A huge issue I’ve observed here in Santa Barbara is the lack of accessible dental options for unsheltered individuals. Many local Medi-Cal accepting dental offices are overbooked for months, making it impossible for those who need care to get an appointment in a timely manner. I believe that mobile dentistry, with the technology we now have available, offers a critical solution to this problem.
“Dentistry is such a vital part of healthcare, yet dental insurance often falls short in terms of coverage, creating inequality in access to care,” I shared. “In Santa Barbara, the need is so great. People have to wait months just to get an appointment, which is unacceptable when you’re dealing with someone’s health and well-being. Having mobile dental units equipped with portable X-ray units, handpieces, suction units, and autoclaves allows us to provide immediate care right in the heart of the community, where it’s needed most.”
Though I’m still in the early stages of my dental career, it’s incredibly exciting to witness DWW’s commitment to entering the world of dental care. The Mobile Dental Clinic is a groundbreaking project, and I’m grateful to be part of this team that is helping to provide essential services to our community. But it’s important to recognize that the real credit for this initiative’s success belongs to Dr. Carmody and the hardworking DWW team members who have brought this vision to life.
Special thanks go to Jackie Moreno and Lynn Mattis, who have been instrumental in coordinating the behind-the-scenes operations, including organizing supplies and ensuring smooth clinic operations. Additionally, our initial team members—Avery Zinner, Sophia Morton, and Josh Monroy—have been integral in making the first few clinics a success. Their contributions have made this ambitious project a reality.
I’m truly excited about the future of the Mobile Dental Clinic, and it’s amazing to see how this initiative has already made a positive impact on the lives of patients. The feedback from our first few clinics has been overwhelmingly positive, and I look forward to seeing how this program grows in the coming months.
At the end of the day, it’s all about providing care and respect to our neighbors, no matter their circumstances. As someone who hopes to become a dentist one day, this experience has reinforced my passion for serving vulnerable populations. Through the Mobile Dental Clinic, we are taking a step closer to ensuring that everyone—regardless of their background—has access to the dental care they deserve.
BY BLAKE SANCHEZ, DWW Communications Coordinator
