At The Local Dentist, we believe that a dental practice should be more than a place where teeth get fixed. It should be a place that makes the community around it better. For us, that means showing up — for our neighbors in Bellingham, for those who have served our country, for the newest members of our community still finding their footing, and for people around the world who have no access to the care most of us take for granted. Giving back isn't something we do on the side. It's part of who we are.
Bellingham plays an important role in welcoming resettling refugee families, and we're honored to be part of a community that values compassion and belonging. We are proud to support Renew Northwest, a local nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside refugees and immigrants toward stability, long-term wellbeing, and a genuine sense of home. We donate services and proceeds to Renew Northwest to help ensure that our newest neighbors have access to the dental care they need as they build their new lives in Whatcom County.
We believe that quality dental care should not be a privilege reserved for those who already have everything in place. For families navigating the challenges of resettlement, a trusted local dentist can make a meaningful difference. We're committed to being that resource. To learn more about Renew Northwest and how you can support their work, we encourage you to visit renew-nw.org.
Dr. Chaz Vittitow served five years as a commissioned officer in the US Navy before opening The Local Dentist. That experience shaped not only how he practices dentistry, but how he sees his responsibility to the people who have served alongside him and after him. As a veteran, Dr. Chaz provides accessible dental care for unhoused veterans in our community, tailoring care to meet their unique needs and circumstances. Service doesn't end when you hang up the uniform — and neither does ours.
During Alzheimer's Awareness Month, The Local Dentist donates proceeds and services to the Alzheimer's Association and provides care to residents of our local long-term care community. Oral health is closely linked to cognitive health, and patients living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia often face significant barriers to receiving consistent dental care. We're committed to bridging that gap and honoring the dignity of every patient, regardless of age or ability.
To continue his father's legacy of service-based dentistry, Dr. Chaz has dedicated time to traveling internationally to teach and provide care to those in need. He has served patients and trained providers in India, Jamaica, Bosnia, Ghana, and Kenya — bringing not just dental treatment, but knowledge and skills that outlast any single visit. These trips reflect a conviction that access to oral health care is a human need, not a luxury, and that those with the ability to help have a responsibility to do so.
Our Associate Doctor, Dr. Seth Swanson, grew up in Lynden, Washington and has deep roots in the communities we serve. Invested in ensuring that local residents have access to quality dental care regardless of their circumstances, Dr. Seth has partnered with Concrete Community Connect to provide dental services to underserved patients in our region. His commitment to accessible care mirrors the values that shape everything we do at The Local Dentist.
When you choose The Local Dentist as your dental home, you're choosing a practice that sees its role in the community as something larger than the work done in the chair. Every appointment, every membership plan, and every referral supports a practice that is actively investing in Bellingham and beyond. We're grateful for the trust this community has placed in us — and we intend to keep earning it, one act of service at a time.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Our friendly team is here to help you with scheduling, treatment questions, and anything else on your mind. Give us a call, send an email, or fill out the form — we'd love to hear from you.
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