An Assessment of Mobile and Portable Dentistry Programs to Improve Population Oral Health

Abstract

The Oral Health Workforce Research Center assessed how mobile and portable dentistry programs contribute to increased access to oral health services. Using a qualitative approach, the study developed case studies of seven organizations across the United States that deliver oral health care in mobile or portable formats. The report reviews the published literature and the regulatory landscape, then draws on the case studies to examine how these programs are financed, staffed, and operated, and how they reach at-risk populations for whom travel to a traditional dental office is a barrier, including children and older adults. Findings and discussion highlight the operational models, facilitators, and challenges that shape the ability of mobile and portable dentistry to improve population oral health.