Advantages and Limitations of Mobile Dental Clinics

Mobile dentistry uses various technologies to provide dental care to underserved and remote locations. A broad definition also includes providing dental care remotely by way of dental professionals traveling to patients. The term “mobile” refers to using a mobile device, a smartphone or tablet, instead of a physical dental office. It is an emerging and rapidly growing field.

Mobile dentistry has been around since the mid-2000s, but smartphones and other mobile technologies have boosted their popularity. Mobile dentistry clinics diagnose and treat dental issues in remote areas where conventional care is difficult or impossible. Mobile dental clinics can provide initial exams, dental x-rays, cleanings, fillings, disease screenings, and dental sealants. Mobile dental units can’t do cosmetic restorations, root canals, or surgery. 

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a dentist-to-population ratio of 1:7500 for optimal oral health. 

The widespread adoption of mobile dental and other health services has improved the quality of life for individuals throughout the United States by expanding access to convenient, high-quality medical care. However, why do some people still have doubts about using their services? Learn the benefits and drawbacks of full-service mobile dentistry. 

What is a Mobile Dental Clinic?  

When we mention “mobile,” you might picture a cargo truck or van on the move. Nowadays, a mobile dental clinic can take on various forms, depending on the business operating it. The mobile office may or may not include a receptionist or other administrative staff, but be assured that the clinic’s primary goal is to provide you with access to a dentist. 

As with any remote care, the primary benefit of mobile dentistry clinic is the ability to provide oral health care to a patient who would otherwise be unable to get dental care. In the case of mobile dentistry, the patient is usually located in a remote area where access to dentists is difficult or not even possible. Dentists and other healthcare professionals use remote technology to transmit x-rays, patient information, and other data to a mobile application.   

What are the Capabilities of Mobile Dental Clinics? 

Technology advancements have made it possible to perform a wide range of dental operations, such as digital x-rays, extractions, denture fittings, root canals, and deep cleanings, all while on the go. Additionally, several other outpatient treatments are performed frequently. It’s impressive that mobile dentists can do the same work as a traditional dental office.

Patients scan their oral health data into the application to receive a general overview of their oral health, including tooth and gum conditions. The application then uses data from the patient’s remote smartphone to provide recommendations and treatment options. Mobile apps can link up to dental devices for telemedicine-style remote checkups. A dentist and a patient can have virtual conversations thanks to the collaboration features offered by some apps. 

Benefits of Mobile Dentistry 

There are several advantages to using a mobile dentist, including that it is more convenient for patients with busy schedules and a lower cost than conventional dental treatment. That means less time spent in the dentist’s chair and more time enjoying life. In addition, it’s a lot more enjoyable. Those who are often on the move will find this an excellent solution.

• Access to Oral Health Care – With the advent of mobile dentistry, patients no longer need to be close to a fixed dental clinic to receive the same dental care that larger cities receive. It can be beneficial for populations that live in rural areas, where travel to a town for dental care can result in a significant time and cost investment.
• Mobility – Patients who use mobile dentistry can be mobile. Because the practice does not require a traditional dental office setting, patients can go when they can, even if that is only on weekends or during their lunch break.
• Scalability – Mobile dentistry is scalable. It can be scaled to meet any patient’s needs, whether one patient or a small group of patients. 
• Accessibility – Mobile dentistry allows patients to access care no matter where they are, including areas that are hard to reach by car or that are not accessible at all by road. 
• Concierge Service and System Integration – Concierge services can be integrated with mobile dentistry solutions, enabling patients to schedule appointments, book treatments, and access information about treatments and insurance coverage.

Limitations of Mobile Dentistry

• Limited Patient Population – While mobile dentistry clinic provides care to patients who would otherwise be without access to dental care, it can also be finite to the patient population who live in remote areas where dentists may be few and far between.
• Battery Life – Length of Time on a Charge * Some forms of mobile dentistry demand a constant connection to the internet. If the connection is lost, the application will be unable to function, and the patient will be required to locate another method to manage their treatment.
• Cost – The expense of receiving mobile dental care, like any other remote medical treatment, may be out of reach for some individuals.

Despite the many advantages, some remain skeptical, raising concerns about these mobile dentistry clinics. Even though the elderly, who tend to have more vulnerable health, are mobile dentists’ primary clients, worries about clinic supplies’ cleanliness are sometimes expressed. However, this is not a drawback since all instruments and equipment used are guaranteed to be sterile.

Finding a Mobile Dental Clinic Near You

You may find a mobile dentistry clinic in your region using a search engine like Google or Bing. The internet is the best resource for this. Read each review carefully, and don’t forget to look at their social media pages, where customers often leave feedback.

Take your time browsing the sites to learn about the mobile dental services available. If you already have a dentist, you may phone them to find out who they recommend for mobile dentistry in your region. Your insurance policy may cover the availability of mobile dental services; check with your company to learn more.

Conclusion

Mobile dentistry is a newer branch of dentistry that uses digital technologies to bring dental care to people who otherwise wouldn’t have it. It’s valuable both in urban areas where dental care is hard to come by and in rural areas where dentists are scarce.

Mobile dentistry clinics can provide much-needed dental care to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. Older adults in their own homes or facilities like nursing homes and hospitals are among the patients. There is also a group of people with dental phobias or those from low-income families who hence cannot afford dental treatment.

We all know it might be scary to entrust our dental treatment to a new dentist, but we also know that this modern practice has many advantages despite the initial anxiety. Mobile dentistry has many benefits, but it is not very common by the high cost of providing care and the technological limitations of portable devices. Some apps, for instance, only work on smartphones of a particular model, and others may not run properly on devices with short battery life.

Contact your Fairfield dentist, Dr. Cheng Zhu, at Freedom Family Sedation Dentistry to learn about the Advantages and Limitations of Mobile Dental Clinics.

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