A comparison of two mobile treatment programs for the homebound and nursing home patient

Two mobile treatment programs using portable equipment transported in vans to serve homebound persons in Denver and Chicago are compared for types of patients treated, use by local dentists, types of services provided, fees generated, and costs involved in operation during the 2-year period (1985-86). Both programs treated a similar, largely nursing home-based white female population that was predominantly older. Volunteer dentist participation varied greatly, with more than twice the number of dentists using the service in Chicago. Both programs accomplished essentially the same number of visits for the biennium studied, with 1,324 for Chicago and 1,320 for Denver. The Denver program was more efficient, generating more visits each time a dentist used the program. The services provided in total were about the same for both programs, with Denver generating 4,887 procedures and Chicago 4,602 for the biennium, but Denver had a more favorable ratio of diagnostic to treatment services. The costs of both programs were close, averaging about $60,000 per year. Denver was able to generate far more in equivalent fees than Chicago for the biennium, but Chicago dentists donated a greater percentage of services (67) than did Denver dentists (62).