The Mobile Dentist

Food trucks are one of the greatest innovations in modern history. It’s a mobile restaurant. A whole kitchen of grease, steam, refrigeration, everything, all on wheels. It’s truly one of the marvels of the modern world.

So if there are places where you can stuff your mouth on wheels, don’t you think they should have places that clean your mouth…on wheels? Seems logical right. It turns out that this vehicle—this dentist on wheels—does in fact exist.

The Practice on Wheels

While it may not be a feature everywhere, the mobile dentist is a reality in Santa Clara, California. Every month, on the 1st and 3rd Mondays, employees at the tech company Nvidia receive a visit from a true dentist on wheels. And they’re not the only ones. Genentech, Juniper Networks, and Yahoo all receive dental care in this novel manner.

It’s a service provided by Onsite Health. As the name clearly suggests, they provide dental and health services on-site using RVs. If you don’t care for the van, they’ll even install a temporary dental practice in one of your company’s rooms. We’re living in an on-demand world and dentistry is now taking its first steps into this new world.

Not to be outdone by their tech rivals, Google and Dropbox are in talks with Studio Dental about a similar arrangement. But it’s not just tech companies. In Vegas, casino employees at the Paris, Luxor, and MGM Grand are paid a visit by Access Health Dental’s mobile practice a few times a month.

Just like the Office

Though they may be on wheels and smaller than the average dentist’s office, these mobile dental practices have most of the same features.

• Onsite Health’s vehicle is 520-square-feet. It’s complete with waiting rooms including televisions; several treatment rooms with all the usual accessories: electric dental chairs, lab with sterilizing equipment, and sinks.
• Access Health Dental’s truck is a whopping 700-square-feet facilities, containing five treatment rooms, all equipped with digital X-rays.
• While Studio Dental’s van is smaller at 230 square feet, it’s still got the goods: a sterilization room, waiting area, two treatment rooms, and a touch of class with its 11-plus-foot ceilings, Corian-sculpted skylights, and oak walls.

It goes without saying that, save some complicated procedures, these mobile practices can perform nearly all services offered at a traditional office. They’ve got local dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and receptionists. They’ll take care of cleanings, deep cleanings, bridge work, crowns, fillings, implants, even root canals.

Room for Expansion

The mobile dental practice is a completely novel idea. In fact, the NYU School of Dentistry has a van that services schools, community centers, and health fairs. That said, this new wave of mobile dentistry is really starting to pick up steam.

For instance, Onsite Health has been signing a number of new corporate clients each year. It’s service is now truly going national. In addition to California, it’s operating in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma, and Texas. Back in Vegas, Access Dental Health acquired 10 more casino clients.

With this level of convenience, it’s obvious that these companies will only get bigger. Everyone knows how important dentist appointments are. Usually it’s a matter of commuting or getting out of work that presents a problem. Not anymore.  Now employees can easily take advantage of their dental benefits without missing a day of work.

Dr. Potts is a gentle, caring dentist who uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry, with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. In addition to his technical proficiency, Dr. Potts is a careful listener. He  makes sure to understand what you want and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs, along with all options available to you. Check out our Twitter, Facebook page, and website.