Identification and description of mobile dental programs--a brief communication.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe mobile dental programs in California.


METHODS
The programs were identified by Internet searches, county health officers, local dental society directors, mobile program directors, and others. A cross-sectional survey was mailed to program directors if their programs provide clinical dental services beyond screening and education.


RESULTS
In California, 33 programs were identified; survey response rate was 70 percent. The populations most likely to be served were those with low-income (100 percent), elementary (77 percent) and preschool (68 percent) children, non-English speakers (64 percent), and the Medicaid-eligible (64 percent). At least half of the programs were providing services in designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Most program directors indicated that if their program was discontinued, it would be "very difficult" (61 percent) or "difficult" (35 percent) for the target populations to get dental services.


CONCLUSIONS
Mobile dental programs are a highly variable, but important, strategy for bringing dental care to many underserved populations.
Carr
Brian R
BR
Center to Address Disparities in Children's Oral Health, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, 3333 California Street, Suite 495, San Francisco, CA 94143-1361, USA.
Isong
Umo
U
Weintraub
Jane A
JA
D002140:California; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003797:Dental Staff; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011636:Public Health Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012571:School Dentistry