Wagons Ho? Weighing the Pros and Cons of Mobile and

Portable Health Clinics

Susan BauerExecutive Director

Community Health Partnership of Illinois

October 30, 2006

www.chpofil.org

Once upon a time…..

1982: CHP (then part of IMC)

Received grant of 2-operatory dental van

Now what do we do???Partnership with PCCHDBring dental services to

migrant farmworker children in northern IL

Late 1980s partnered with Loyola Dental School, RDH program

Over 1500 children served annually, adults too

www.chpofil.org

All good things must come to an end…

Loyola closedNo longer institutional support for the mobile unitNow what do we do?Sell van, purchase 3 portable units

www.chpofil.org

Adapting to a Changing Needs: Statewide Program Serving

Migrant Head Start and Migrant Education

Portable unitsEasier to storeCan serve more than one site at a timeMoving does no require a special driver’s licenseRepairs/replacement easier (less down time)Less “tempermental”Not weather sensitiveMore practical for long distances (no need for “tail” driver”)Longevity

www.chpofil.org

But Mobile Units Have Many Advantages, Too!

Visibility: the van is here!Health delivery “site” status for Medicaid billingLimited space in partner institution not an issueEasier set-up/knock downPrivacy/confidentiality

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Factors to Consider

Partnerships Vital!Geography: Distance from “home base”Level of Service: prevention vs. ongoing primary careFollow-up visitsFrequency of MovesThird Party ReimbursementStaffingInstitutional Support

Storage, Maintenance (equipment and vehicle)Moving

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Portable Dental Equipment Manufacturers

DNTL www.DNTLworks.comA-dec www.a-dec.comAseptico www.aseptico.comASI www.asimedical.comBell www.belldental.comBerco www.bercoproducts.comM-DEC www.portabledendistry.comObtura Spartan www.obtura.comDentalaire 800/866-6881