Goals

1. Provide dental services to populations (pediatric, adult or geriatric) where there are significant barriers to accessing dental care.
2. Deliver preventative, diagnostic or restorative dental treatment (or a combination of the three). 
3. Educate vulnerable populations about oral health best practices.

Considerations

Type of treatment:  Best determined by the target population’s needs as well as funding sources, available resources, project goals and desired outcomes. Treatment models and number of patients will also determine length of stay, which can be several months, one week or a single day.  

Pediatrics: Most pediatric mobile clinics partner with schools or local agencies, both of which can pre-identify children with greatest need for care and coordinate consent forms. At schools, clinics generally park right outside and provide treatment during class hours. Consideration now must include safety protocols for lock-downs, adverse weather conditions and security on the vans. 

Consents: A contact at the host organization should coordinate consent in advance if parent/guardian will not be present.

Summer and Holidays: On non-school days, clinics can serve other populations including adults and families at local safety net clinics, non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations, summer health fairs or community centers. 

Partner agencies: For adult populations, partner agencies and organizations are valuable for establishing trust and assisting with logistics.   

Referral partners: Establish relationships in advance for referrals to local dentists or clinics for complex treatment or a long-term dental home.  

Mobile unit planning: Close communication between the mobile clinic vendor and dental vendor when planning the layout and measurements for the vehicle will help ensure effective, efficient layout of all elements, including the chairs, x-ray unit(s), sterilization areas, etc. One member’s mobile clinic also includes 16 portable chairs and related equipment which can be set up in a room, church or field so that they can provide complete dental treatment. Accommodations must be made for populations with mobility issues (crucial for geriatric patients). Staff recommendations/feedback can also be helpful if purchasing additional mobile clinics.

Costs: Mobile dentistry vehicles are among the costlier to build out, given the need for significant equipment including chairs, x-ray units and dental materials. Build-out costs of $000,000 are not uncommon.

Materials: Staff must ensure that the vehicle has sufficient supply of all dental materials for the duration of the visit, especially in remote areas, including water, gas for generator and a vendor or protocol to empty gray water tanks and dispose of biohazardous waste. 

Billing: Will services be free, reimbursed by Medicaid or dependent upon insurance?

Connectivity: Need for Internet depends upon billing, record-keeping and access. In some cases, mobile clinics can piggyback on the partner organization’s connection but mobile clinics in rural areas may have no options.   

Staffing: Varies with treatment models, but often includes dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, logistical coordinators and drivers, who serve multiple roles. One mobile clinic found great success training drivers as dental assistants. 

Parking: Mobile clinics generally park near partner agencies. In urban areas, parking is more limited. In rural areas, it’s helpful to find a communal area that is accessible. 

Resources 

• Mobile Health Map 
• The scope and impact of mobile health clinics in the United States: a literature review
• Filling the Dental Gap at Federally Qualified Health Centers (membership required)
• Oral Health Meeting (membership required)
• ASTDD Mobile-Portable Dental Manual
• National Oral Health Conference Mobile Dental Clinics Presentation

Next Steps

• Become a member of Mobile Healthcare Association
• Review our start-up resources, some for members only.