A nationwide mobile dentistry service has been launched with the aim of improving acute access to NHS dental care using a fleet of multi-clinic-room portable dental units. Launched by DentalXpress. The organisation's mobile practice provision means that it can operate efficiently and cost effectively across the UK and wherever a dental practice is needed.
NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland was the first primary care trust (PCT) in the country to introduce the service and DentalXpress is currently in discussions with six other PCTs to launch similar services in their areas. Leicestershire will open the first DentalXpress practice in the Syston area of the county and aims to provide NHS dental care for 400 people a month.
The mobile units offer all the amenities expected in a normal bricks and mortar practice. They have a reception area, four inter-connecting treatment rooms, a disabled toilet and a staff room. Wherever possible all the dental instruments used will be disposable. DentalXpress's logistical expert will carry out an assessment of each location, including the size of the space required to accommodate the mobile unit as well as access roads, power and drainage.
Each unit will be staffed by two to three dentists and three dental nurses and served by a receptionist who will work continuously throughout the day. There will be a computer and telephone booking system (with a freephone number) and confirmations will be offered via email and text.
Although this is not currently applicable for Leicester, the aim is to set up a DentalXpress service in each PCT area it serves for 4-6 weeks and return to each of these areas on a 4-6 weekly basis. The organisation is currently recruiting dentists locally to serve a particular community, which will help them build relationships with the patients they treat and local practices to which they will need to refer.
The objective is that these dentists will work as self employed practitioners on a sessional basis and will be paid according to the number of patients they see. Dental nurses will be employed by the company and will work with the same dentist in pairings to encourage team building, and each unit team will be completed by a receptionist.
DentalXpress is a social enterprise with an ethical principle to deliver lasting social change and will reinvest 75% of any profits it makes delivering NHS dentistry back into expanding its service. It is currently exploring ways it can expand its provision to serve schools, the armed forces, domiciliary care homes for the elderly, universities and the homeless.
Dental team in the mobile unit
Non-executive director and spokesperson, Amarjit Gill, commented, 'Recent reports highlighted a number of priority groups as being at greatest risk of suffering poor oral health including the elderly, the young, people with learning difficulties, mental health sufferers, the homeless and prisoners. The DentalXpress Acute Access Programme has a mission to provide logistical support to primary care trusts in areas where little or no access to NHS dentistry currently exists and commitment to a fixed practice in areas of greatest need is often impossible for a number of reasons.'
For more information visit
