How to get dental care if you can't leave home

Leaving the house for a dental visit is not always possible. You might be recovering from surgery. You might have a disability or a health condition that makes travel hard. You might care for someone who cannot safely get in a car. Whatever the reason, dental care does not have to stop. Mobile dental providers and in-home dental teams bring care directly to patients. And when a visit to the office truly is needed, there are ways to plan for it. 

What you will learn in this article: 

• A mobile or in-home dental provider may be able to handle many dental needs without you leaving home. 

• Some treatments may still require an office visit depending on the equipment, your health and the care you need. 

• Good home care between visits helps protect your teeth and may reduce the need for more complex treatment later. 

• Caregivers can take specific steps to find, schedule and coordinate dental care for a homebound family member. 

If getting to a dental office is difficult for you or someone you care for, a provider may be closer than you think. You can schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to ask about care options that work for your situation. 

What is in-home dental care? 

In-home dental care means a dental provider or mobile dental team comes to your home or residential facility with portable equipment and supplies. A 2021 study in BMC Health Services Research followed three mobile dental clinics that cared for older adults, people with disabilities and others who had trouble reaching a traditional dental office.¹ 

You may also hear terms like “mobile dentistry,” “portable dentistry” or “home-visit dentistry.” The services available can vary based on the dental provider, equipment, local rules and your specific needs. 

What can a dental provider do at your home? 

What can be done at home depends on the dental team and the equipment they bring. A 2021 study of three mobile dental clinics found that dental providers provided preventive cleanings, fillings and extractions, along with abscess drainage and certain denture repairs. One dental provider also used fluoride gel when needed.¹  

The American Dental Association (ADA) supports tailoring home-care advice to each patient's needs, while the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recommends a comprehensive periodontal evaluation once a year.²˒³ Here's a closer look at what a home visit may include:  

Exams and cleanings: A mobile team may be able to examine your teeth and gums and provide a cleaning. 

Fluoride treatments: Some mobile dental providers may be able to apply fluoride during a home visit. 

Gum checks: Ask whether the dental provider can complete the gum evaluation you need at home, or whether additional testing is needed elsewhere. 

X-rays: Ask whether X-rays are available during home visits. Portable equipment and local rules vary. 

Oral hygiene instruction: Your dental team can show you or a caregiver ways to make brushing and cleaning between your teeth easier. 

Denture care: Some denture repairs may be possible at home. Ask the mobile dental provider what denture care they can provide during a home visit. 

Some urgent care: A mobile dental provider may be able to assess and treat certain urgent problems. What can be done depends on the problem and the setup available. 

What may still require an office visit? 

Home dental care has limits, but those limits are not the same for every dental provider. In the mobile-dentistry study, local rules about X-ray equipment affected which procedures the dental providers were willing to provide at home.¹ 

An office, specialist or hospital visit may be needed when: 

• The dental provider needs imaging or equipment that is not available at home.

• The mobile team cannot safely provide the care in that setting.

• The dental provider decides the treatment is too complex or lengthy for a home visit.

Ask the mobile dental provider what can be done at home before the visit and what might require care somewhere else. 

Why staying current with dental care matters even at home 

Home care matters, but it does not replace professional dental care. The ADA says good care at home can lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease and may reduce the amount of dental treatment you need later.² 

How often you need dental visits should be based on your individual risk. The AAP also recommends a full periodontal evaluation once a year. It's a check-up that looks beyond your teeth to your bite, bone structure and overall risk for gum disease.³ 

If you cannot easily leave home, ask your dental provider what visit schedule makes sense and which parts of your care can be handled at home. 

How to find a dental provider who makes home visits 

Finding a mobile dental provider takes a few direct steps. 

Search with specific terms: Try searches like “mobile dentistry near me,” “in-home dentistry” or “homebound dental services,” along with your city or ZIP code. 

Call a local dental practice: Ask whether the practice offers home visits. If it does not, ask whether the team knows of a local dental provider who does. 

Contact your state's dental association: Ask whether it has a referral service or can help you locate a dental provider who provides mobile care. 

Ask through a care network: If you already work with a home health agency, hospice team or hospital discharge planner, ask whether they know of mobile dental services in your area. 

Check your dental benefits: Call your insurance plan and ask specifically whether mobile or in-home dental services are covered and whether you need a referral or prior approval. 

How to coordinate care for a homebound family member 

If you are arranging care for someone else, a little planning goes a long way. 

Gather their dental history first. Find out who their previous dental provider was. Ask for records to be transferred. Knowing their history helps the mobile dental provider work safely. 

Ask about comfort and communication needs: If anxiety, dementia or other cognitive changes could make the visit harder, tell the dental team before the appointment. Let them know what usually helps the person feel comfortable. 

Prepare the space. A mobile team needs room to work. A reclining chair or a hospital bed can substitute for a dental chair. Clear a small area nearby for their equipment tray and bag. 

Have a medication list ready: Give the dental team a current list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and supplements so they have the information they need to plan the visit. 

Plan for support if needed: A caregiver or advocate can help with communication or positioning. Ask the dental team whether they would like that person to stay nearby during treatment. 

Follow up after the visit. Ask the dental provider what they found. Ask when the next visit should be and whether any office-based care is recommended. Write it down. 

When an office visit is unavoidable 

Sometimes a mobile dental provider may decide that an office, specialist or hospital setting is the safer or more practical place for your treatment. This may depend on the equipment needed, your health or the complexity of the procedure. 

This does not mean care is impossible. It means it needs planning. 

Ask about accessibility: Before booking, ask about step-free entrances, wheelchair access, transfer needs and anything else that could make the visit easier. 

Choose the best time for the patient: Schedule the appointment for the part of the day when the person usually has the most energy or feels most comfortable. 

Ask about transportation: If you have Medicaid or another health plan, ask whether transportation assistance is available for the dental appointment. 

Bring a caregiver or advocate if needed: Someone who knows the patient's history and needs may be able to help with communication. 

Tell the office what to expect: Share mobility needs, cognitive concerns and relevant health information before the visit so the team can prepare. 

If an office visit is necessary, talk with your dental provider ahead of time about any mobility, transportation or communication needs. Sharing those details can help the care team prepare and make the visit easier. 

How to get dental care if you can't leave home FAQs 

Still have questions about getting dental care when leaving home is difficult? These answers cover a few common concerns. 

Does insurance cover in-home dental visits? 

Coverage varies by plan and service. Call your insurer and ask specifically whether mobile or in-home dental care is covered, which services qualify and whether you need a referral or prior approval. 

Can a mobile dental provider treat someone with dementia? 

Yes, many mobile dental providers have experience treating patients with dementia. Tell the dental team about the person's cognitive needs before the visit, including anything that helps them feel calm or oriented. The dental provider may adjust their approach, such as using simple, direct communication or involving a familiar caregiver during treatment. 

What if a loved one refuses dental care? 

Tell the dental provider before the visit. Ask whether a short, low-pressure introduction or assessment is possible and what signs would mean the person should be seen more urgently. 

How do I know if a mobile dental provider is qualified? 

Ask for the dental provider's full name and license information and verify it with your state's dental licensing board. You can also ask what treatments they provide at home, how they handle emergencies and whether they have experience caring for patients with needs similar to yours. 

Can a mobile dental provider handle a dental emergency at home? 

It depends on the emergency and what the mobile dental provider can safely provide. MedlinePlus notes that a tooth abscess needs treatment and can spread if it is not treated. Swelling of the jaw can be a serious sign. If facial swelling is severe or getting worse, or you have trouble breathing, seek urgent medical care instead of waiting for a routine home visit.⁴˒⁵ 

Sources 

¹ National Institutes of Health, PubMed Central, BMC Health Services Research: “Domiciliary dentistry clinics: a multiple case study in the province of Quebec, Canada.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8442809/ 

² American Dental Association: “Home Oral Care.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/home-care 

³ American Academy of Periodontology: “Gum Disease Prevention.” https://www.perio.org/for-patients/gum-disease-information/gum-disease-prevention/ 

⁴ National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, Medical Encyclopedia: “Tooth abscess.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001060.htm 

⁵ National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, Medical Encyclopedia: “Facial swelling.” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003105.htm