Oral Health Mobile Models
Mobile models for delivering oral health services have become increasingly effective for addressing barriers to oral healthcare in rural areas. Mobile oral health programs often serve as a bridge to more comprehensive care by connecting patients with permanent dental homes or other health services.
Services
Oral health services provided by mobile models include preventive care such as cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, screenings, X-rays, and basic restorative care.
Delivery Approaches
Common models for mobile oral health programs include mobile dental vans, portable equipment setups in schools or community centers, and teledentistry-enabled services. This approach is especially impactful for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities who may face additional challenges accessing traditional dental offices.
Examples of Oral Health Mobile Programs
- The University of Texas Health School of Dentistry’s Mobile Dental Health Van brings oral health services directly to communities across Greater Houston and rural East Texas. The van is staffed by students and faculty from the School of Dentistry. The van provides free preventive and treatment care to adults who otherwise lack access, while also offering dental students hands-on training in community-based service.
- MHS Mobile Dental delivers onsite school-based oral healthcare across Mississippi to children who may not otherwise have access to regular dental care. MHS has provided more than 169,000 onsite dental encounters and contributed over $13.9 million in free care to uninsured students.
- The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit enhances oral healthcare access in rural South Carolina by bringing dental services directly to communities that often lack providers. Equipped with a dedicated dental room and teledentistry technology, the unit offers preventive services, screenings, and treatment referrals, helping detect issues early and reduce avoidable hospital visits.
- Tooth B.U.D.D.S. is a nonprofit program in the rural Gila Valley region of southern Arizona that brings free, school-based preventive dental care directly to children who face barriers accessing traditional services. Founded by a local dental hygienist in 2017, the initiative partners with schools in Graham and Greenlee Counties to provide screenings, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and telehealth-enabled referrals to local dentists.
Implementation Considerations
Important considerations for rural communities implementing mobile oral health programs include staffing, partnerships, and policies.
Staffing. It is essential that mobile oral health programs integrate dental hygienists as key members of the broader healthcare team. In many rural programs, hygienists provide preventive oral care, conduct medical screenings such as blood pressure checks, and offer counseling on chronic conditions like diabetes, which are often linked to oral health. This holistic approach positions the dental hygienist as a bridge, ensuring oral health is treated as a vital component of overall well-being. In some states, mobile oral health programs can partner with dental hygiene programs at community colleges or universities to create opportunities for students to operate mobile units as part of their clinical training.
Partnerships. Rural mobile oral health programs are supported by strategic partnerships that help meet specific community needs. Programs commonly partner with public health departments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Partnerships enable essential functions for service delivery, such as access to facilities. For example, school-based dental programs often rely on collaborations between local school districts, state health departments, and FQHCs. These partnerships enable programs to coordinate with school nurses and administrators and ensure follow-up care for students who need additional treatment.
Policies. State and federal policies influence reimbursement and scope of practice of mobile oral health programs, which are crucial drivers of program feasibility and sustainability. Some states allow Medicaid reimbursement for dental services delivered in non-traditional settings, such as schools or community centers, and for mobile or portable oral health services. Additionally, policies that expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists and dental therapists — such as allowing them to provide preventive services without the direct supervision of a dentist — can increase the efficiency and geographic reach of mobile teams in rural communities.
The Rural Oral Health Toolkit’s Mobile Dental Services Model discusses additional implementation considerations for mobile units including the importance of relationships with community stakeholders, staffing needs, and costs to consider.
Program Clearinghouse Examples
Resources to Learn More
Boosting Oral Health Care
in Rural Communities
Document
Describes state-level strategies to improve oral healthcare access in rural communities, including the use of
teledentistry, mobile dental clinics, and workforce incentives. Highlights policy innovations addressing
provider shortages, geographic barriers, and differences in oral health outcomes. Explores Medicaid
reimbursement, public health dental hygiene practices, and federal-state collaborations to expand rural oral
health infrastructure.
Author(s): Skinner E
Organization(s): National Conference of State Legislatures
Date: 7/2020