What is the layout of a mobile dental clinic?
A mobile dental clinic will generally include a receptionist area, enabled with computer connections to support scheduling appointments, processing check-ins, dealing with claims, and filing and updating medical records. It will also include a working space with options for dental chairs and an area with X-ray equipment. Inside, it boasts an efficient design, allowing it to be fully set up with customer specified equipment to perform your dental services.
To run a mobile dental clinic, staff must often work with the community to gain access to necessary water and electricity for their clinic. The clinic should be built to be accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other disability equipment. The layout of a mobile dental clinic typically resembles that of a fixed dental clinic with a more efficient design and specifically defined work areas.
What are the benefits of mobile dental units?
Mobile dental units are used to bring dental services to rural and remote communities with limited population to support a brick and mortar dental clinic. They can drastically improve healthcare services in communities and bring access to individuals who would not have had those services originally. Mobile dental clinics may offer screening services such as dental check-ups, cleanings, exams, and sealants. Most mobile clinics will refer patients to a brick-and-mortar location for surgeries and root canals.
Mobility provides endless options to set up in any location. Mobile dental units are often deployed to provide services at inner-city schools, nursing homes, Indian reservations, charities, faith-based organizations, prisons, small or remote communities, and correctional facilities. Though they usually employ a paid staff of dentists and dental assistants, some will additionally utilize volunteers to speed up the workflow and make the process run smoothly.
What size is a dental mobile unit?
Dental mobile units can come in a variety of lengths and sizes. Most of the time, the vehicles will range between 14 and 53 feet in length, though some companies offer customized options for unique situations. At Summit Bodyworks, dental mobile units are built on Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram Promaster platforms. Step van trucks range from 16 to 24 feet, and cutaway vans range from 14 to 18 feet in length. Cab and chassis vehicles are also available from 16 to 28 feet, and commercial RV platforms come in lengths of 33 to 45 feet.
There are also three trailer options available. Tag-pull trailers range from 16 to 32 feet long, gooseneck trailers are available in lengths between 28 and 48 feet. The largest options are semi-trailers, which come in a standard length of 53 feet and are also available in custom lengths.
How is dental equipment protected in transit?
There are a variety of ways to protect dental equipment in transit, and it all starts with the design inside the vehicle. A strategic design plan will allow equipment to stay sturdily in place, no matter how far it is transported. Typically, this involves securing furniture and other equipment to the floor so it doesn’t slide around while the vehicle is in motion. In some special cases, dental equipment may be transported separately to a location and then set up once the vehicle is in place. Smaller pieces of equipment can be stored away in special storage compartments inside the vehicle. To run a mobile dental clinic, staff must be highly organized and prepared in advance with precise quantities of medications and tools.
What size is a mobile dental vehicle?
Generally, a mobile dental vehicle will range from 14 to 53 feet in size. Depending on the specific needs of the company, the vehicle may be customized with slide-out panels that create extra floor space when the vehicle is parked. In addition, mobile dental vehicles can be built on a variety of chassis options and styles, including step-van trucks, cab and chassis vehicles, commercial RV platforms, cutaway vans, tag-pull trailers, gooseneck trailers, and semi-trailers. Semi-trailers will typically be the largest size available, while cutaway vans and step-van trucks will be the smaller choices. To choose the right length for your department, consult with a qualified dealership that can help you design the right floor plan for your staff, patients, storage, and equipment needs.