Expanding Patient Access to Care - College of Dentistry Launches New Treatment Coach

In August, the college introduced a brand-new 38-foot coach that will focus on providing care to underserved families in rural areas, including children, adults and elderly patients.
The Dental H.O.M.E. Coach
The new Dental H.O.M.E. Coach

It has been 11 years since the College of Dentistry’s current Dental H.O.M.E. Coach rolled off the assembly line. After more than 15,700 patient interactions—primarily at Columbus Public Schools—the time has come to welcome a second coach to help share the load. In August, the college introduced a brand-new 38-foot coach that will focus on providing care to underserved families in rural areas, including children, adults and elderly patients.

“The new coach is designed to hit the road,” said Tammy Duangthip, DDS, MSc, PhD, chair of the college’s new Division of Dental Public Health. “Some patients just can’t come to us, so we’ll go to them.”

“It’s more in many ways,” added James Cottle ’81 DDS, director of the college’s Community Outreach and Education programs and associate professor-clinical in the Division of Dental Public Health. “It’s more advanced and allows for more detailed diagnosis.”

“This new coach represents an opportunity to extend our reach to communities that need us most,” said Dean Trotman. “We’re proud to be moving toward a future where oral health care can reach everyone—regardless of where they live.”

The new coach will begin serving communities where access to care is currently limited. Long-term plans include expanding the fleet with additional coaches to reach more areas across the state where poverty is high and access to care is low.

“This new dental coach is a significant step-up in technology in every regard,” Dean Trotman said. “Since we’ll be farther geographically, that will be key.”

KEY TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADES ON THE NEW COACH INCLUDE:

  • A wheel chair lift –which makes the coach more accessible to elderly or disabled patients.
  • Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) – for 3D imaging, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis than the current coach allows.
  • A milling machine – allowing for efficient and precise on-board restorations
  • Teledentistry capabilities – allowing for specialty consultations for efficiency in subsequent referrals.
  • Digital dentistry – enhancing procedural efficiency and improving the overall patient experience.
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