Mobile dentistry program back filling the gap at long-term care homes

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This article was published 26/07/2021 (1759 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When long-term care homes locked down last year, Manitoba dentists were among the visitors no longer allowed in.

For more than 20 years, the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Community Oral Health has been running a mobile dentistry program that visits long-term care homes in Winnipeg and St. Adolphe. When COVID-19 halted it, the travelling teams of dentists, dental assistants and hygienists had to enact protocols for virtual visits and make sure patients with urgent needs could still get emergency dentistry.

Earlier this summer, assessments and in-person visits resumed once more.

There is currently a backlog and wait list for long-term residents awaiting dental visits, said Dr. Robert Schroth, co-director of the Centre for Community Oral Health.

It has been a challenge, particularly for residents who are already vulnerable and aren’t able to get out to see their own dentists, he said.

“We’re sort of at the stage now that we’re seeing that most residents are immunized and staff are following PPE and protocols that we can start now resuming care. It won’t be an immediate full-force, but sort of just slowly ramping up to getting to our normal capacity,” Schroth said.

They’re still figuring out the best ways to adapt; mobile dentist visits were typically done in shared spaces previously, but because of the way COVID-19 is transmitted, there’s a clear need for separate, well-ventilated rooms large enough for wheelchairs and stretchers.

“It’s food for thought, maybe for government in future to think about, if there’s any new construction of long-term care facilities in the province, there should maybe be some consideration as well that there’s a designated shared health space that could easily be adapted or used by oral health-care providers,” Schroth said.

In general, Manitoba dentists are seeing the results of delayed appointments and over a year’s worth of pandemic stress. They’ve had anecdotal reports of patients suffering from increasing rates of cavities and gum disease, as well as stress-related conditions such as jaw clenching, grinding, cracked and broken teeth, said Dr. Chris Cottick, president of the Manitoba Dental Association.

“A lot of patients are still a little hesitant to go anywhere or do anything, so they’ll only come out when it’s broken, so we’re seeing a little bit more of that,” Cottick said.

The association says dentists are experts in infection control, and there hasn’t been any evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted to or from a patient during a dental appointment. They want people to keep up with regular visits, Cottick said. Tooth decay can progress to the point of losing teeth or affecting nutrition and sleep. In some cases, mouth infections can be life-threatening.

“Let things go, and things will get worse,” Cottick said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay