Can Britons benefit from US dentistry initiatives such as ‘Dental Homes’?
Approximately ten years ago, Marcy Borofsky, DDS, BSc and Margo Y. Woll, DDS, co-founded “Mobile Dentists and its Smile Programs” to help those most in need. By recruiting dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants committed to educating communities in oral health and providing dental services, patients most in need are reached across states and treated through use of mobile and portable equipment in schools and childcare nurseries, and on business and military premises.
By converting locations in such premises, these dental professionals create dental offices for a day. Their mobile units enable transport of x-ray equipment, chairs, compressors, suctions, sterilisers, dental instruments and disposable supplies. Each patient is dealt with on a case-by-case basis with referral through strategic partnerships where needed.
Together, with partners that include schools, hospitals and public health clinics, dental insurers, community foundations, charities, departments of health, and councils, they have created “dental homes” across state lines. Among some are Mobile Dentists Michigan, Smile Virginia and Smile Illinois. But what prompted these Dental Directors to establish such programs? They are doing it because they believe that the dentistry industry is changing where some cannot access traditional dental offices due to long working hours, limited transport, lack of childcare, and the military clearance needed. Considering West Wales and other locations across the United Kingdom, could “dental homes” be an option to reach the needy?
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