Oral health care for older people is important and mobile dentistry for nursing homes is one of the cleverest ideas we have heard about. If you cannot get to the dentist easily, let the dentist come to you. And this is not just for emergency dental care, although for that too, this is for general dentistry, the kind that everyone should be having at least every six months. And yes, everyone should go to the dentist for a general check up twice a year. Saying that, we heard a beautiful story recently. Someone went back to her dentist after a few years, feeling bad that she hadn’t been for so long. He didn’t judge her, he just said ‘Welcome home.’ And that is what a dental visit can feel like.

Welcome to the mobile dentist

When an older person visits a mobile dental clinic, or rather, when the mobile dental clinic comes to them, they do get the warmest possible welcome. It’s okay if they have not seen a dentist for years. The dentist’s job is to look after their oral health and that is exactly what they will do. It might be a once off appointment and perhaps they need a follow up appointment, both will be done by mobile care. Mobile dentists offer all kinds of dental procedures, including general cleanings but also, denture fittings and fixings, tooth extractions, implants if needed, gum health care and more. A mobile dentist is as qualified as any dentist but definitely well versed in dealing with older people and in understanding their special needs.

A nursing home generally organizes a mobile dentist to come in for the day, or for a few consecutive days depending on demand. Chat to your nursing home and ask what they know about mobile dentistry for nursing homes and if they can organize it.