title: Portable dental chairs and their role in assisting the community outreach program- a qualitative approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Certain conditions limit the independence of deprived people. However, those conditions do not limit the right of these people to receive dental care. Portable dental units may make it possible for the deprived and elderly to receive the care they deserve in more areas. This study aimed to explore dentists' perceptions of the use of portable dental units in community outreach programs as a precursor to our quantitative study in the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted by one interviewer, seven dentists, two specialists, and 11 final-year dental students who had experience with portable dental units in Isfahan, Iran. The qualitative research method was chosen first due to the rarity of information readily available about the units and second due to their specialist application; with which only certain members of the dental community have experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described a range of observations they had made whilst using the portable dental units in different locations. The qualitative data were primarily concerned with the range of ideas the interviewers distinguished as relevant when describing the portable dental units. The predominant view most noted within interviews was that the portable units are very useful for the community outreach programs, with two subcategories of serviceability and access to oral health. Other factors mentioned were the competence of the portable dental unit and the factors affecting each individual patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings illustrate a number of features that may enhance the reputation of portable dental units, due to their useful nature.
authors.affiliation: Torabinejad Dental Research Center and Department of Dental Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Firoozeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nilchian
authors.affiliation: The College of Law, Braboeuf Manor, Guildford, UK.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahlabadi
authors.affiliation: Student of Dentistry, Student Research Center, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skini
keywords: Mobile Health units; Health Services Accessibility; Oral Helth