Last week, we visited a nursing home local to our Dentistry.ie Sundrive, Kimmage clinic after they approached us about seeing their 45 residents onsite.
Like many homes, organizing transport to external dental clinics is difficult. Between mobility issues, medical complexity and staffing logistics, appointments often get postponed — sometimes for years.
Preparing for the Day
Before attending, we requested:
- Full medical histories
- Current medications
- Mobility status
- Consent details
Each resident was added to our nursing home management system and allocated a scheduled time. With 45 residents on the list, preparation was key to making the day run smoothly.
We brought two full dental teams (dentist & nurse per team) along with our complete portable dental setup, including:
- Portable dental unit
- Digital portable X-ray
- Intraoral scanner
- Full infection control equipment
Essentially, we brought the clinic with us.
How the Day Ran
We split into two teams:
- Team 1 focused first on bedbound residents, delivering bedside care.
- Team 2 set up a dedicated treatment room within the nursing home for mobile residents.
Interestingly, 18% of residents were bedbound, reinforcing why on-site dental services are so important in this setting.
By the end of the day:
- 38 patients were seen
- That equates to 84% of all residents
- 7 residents were unable to be seen due to illness or declining treatment
What We Found
Some of the findings were significant.
- 40% of residents had not seen a dentist in over 5 years
- 38 residents received a full oral examination and oral cancer screening
- 29 residents received a scale and polish
- Over 20% required fillings
- 6 residents required new dentures
- 4 dentures were relined
For many residents, small issues had simply been tolerated — loose dentures, sore spots, difficulty chewing — often because attending a clinic wasn’t straightforward.
Treatment Delivered
Where possible, we treated immediately.
Oral Cancer Screening
Every patient seen received a full oral cancer screening. Early detection is critical, particularly in older populations.
Scale & Polish (29 residents)
Improving comfort, reducing inflammation and helping maintain overall oral health.
Denture Relines (4 completed onsite)
Natural changes in the gums cause dentures to loosen over time. Relining improved stability and comfort immediately for those patients.
New Dentures (6 patients)
We used our intraoral scanner to take digital impressions, avoiding traditional impression materials which can be uncomfortable for elderly patients. Their new dentures are now in production and we will return within the week to fit them.
Why It Matters
The numbers tell one story — but the real impact is in quality of life.
Being able to eat comfortably.
Speaking clearly.
Smiling without discomfort.
For nursing homes local to our Dentistry.ie Sundrive, Kimmage location, onsite dentistry removes barriers:
- No transport coordination
- No disruption to routine
- Reduced stress for staff
- Earlier intervention before emergencies develop
Providing dental care in this setting isn’t just convenient — it’s necessary.
We’ll be returning next week to fit the new dentures and continue care for those who need follow-up treatment.
And most importantly, we’ll continue making sure residents receive proper dental care — without ever having to leave the comfort of their home.