Mobile dentistry for seniors has a lot of untapped potential clients nowadays. Back in the days, it was the client who would call a dentist, book an appointment and visit the dental clinic when the dentist is available. Nowadays, things are different and it is the other way round. Doctors are using vehicles to provide dental services at the residence or workplace of the patient.
Mobile dentistry is a wide field that has a lot of benefits both to the dentist and the patient. Migrant workers and the elderly are some of the possible areas that can benefit from mobile dentistry. Individuals who live in rural areas without access to big cities where dental offices are located can also benefit from mobile dentistry. Here are a few ways to know if your practice is ready to start offering mobile dental services.
A conundrum for dentists
Determining how dentists can close the gap and meet the needs of people who rely on their services is the issue that should be considered. The first challenge that a lot of dentists face is finding the right facility where their vehicle can be parked that they can retrofit to meet patients’ needs. This can be a challenging proposition because it usually relies on the ability of the dentist to duplicate his office in a small space.
The services you provide will determine the difficulties of establishing a mobile dental service for seniors. If your mobile dental clinic in The United States of Americais only going to offer dental checkups and cleanings, you could do this with few pieces of equipment. If you want to add services like extractions and fillings then you will require more pieces of equipment. It is also possible to find portable pieces of equipment to fit the needs of small dentistry. Some procedures would not be possible with the clinic because you will not be able to meet the standard of care required nowadays. Alternative procedures such as tooth extraction might be used in mobile dentistry.
Compliance and privacy standards
If you want to start a mobile dental clinic then it is important to understand that you require a way to keep records and access your records. This makes compliance and privacy a major concern when operating a mobile dental clinic. This can be done using software that meets the current security standards. It is also possible to use check-in systems or mobile kiosks that allow patients to check into the clinic on their own. This can reduce the costs of the office, especially if you are attending certain events such as migrant worker health days.
mobile dentistry for seniors requires proper record keeping although this is a new feature in the practice. However, it is not new to the extent of failing to find options. There are programs that you can use to chart information and check files of your patients from a tablet, computer or even a smartphone. This could save you a lot of space and time and enable you to treat as many patients as possible.
