Rural Areas Turn to Mobile Clinics to Access Dental Care

Prior to the passage of the MOBILE Health Care Act in the fall of 2022, clinics serving low-income patient populations were barred from using federal funds to purchase mobile clinics if they did not already have a brick-and-mortar clinic in the area. The legislation significantly impacted rural communities by enabling the provision of medical and dental care through traveling clinics. The trend has continued with more underserved areas deciding to go the mobile route. Many mobile clinics that opened during the pandemic to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations have since been converted to year-round healthcare facilities. Dental care is frequently the most sought-after service; many rural counties do not have a single dental provider. Click here to read more.