Our world has changed quite a bit in the last two decades. Today, nearly every part of lives have been inundated with technology. From work to education to the medical care that we receive, there are a number of ways that technology has altered how we live our lives. Although technology has also played an important role in the dental care, one part of the equation has not changed at all. Dentists and orthodontists may now have access to 3D technology and far better x-ray technology, but you still need to visit a dentist to get the care that you need.
In other parts of the medical world telemedicine has sometimes been able to limit the trips that patients need to make into to see their doctors, this is not the case for dental care. Telemedicine options simply cannot substitute the traditional dental appointments when patients are cared for by a qualified dentist or dental technician. One thing that has changed, however, is that in many parts of the country dentists are using mobile dental office to take their care to patients.
Mobile Dental Vans Allow Many Patients to Get the Important Care That They Need
Research continues to show that the more missing natural teeth a person has, the more life expectancy decreases. These studies show, in comparison, that those with 20 or more natural teeth at the age of 70 had a considerably higher life expectancy than those who did not. One of the things that can limit the number of teeth that someone has is whether or not that person had access to dental care earlier in life. For this reason, and many others, mobile dental offices continue to grow in popularity. Because it is important for people of all ages to get regular dental checkups every six months, the dental community continues to look at ways they can bring care to patients who otherwise would not make it in to regular appointments.
Unfortunately, 27% of adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay. It is good to know, however, that a mobile dental office might help get the necessary care to some of these people. Technology has changed many things in our lives, but it will never replace the need for dentists to see patients in person.
