The provision of mobile dental services to dependent elderly people in Switzerland.

Objective: This work aimed at describing mobile dental services provided by both the private sector and the universities in Switzerland to dependent elderly people. It also aimed at presenting the views of both sectors on the current status of these services.

Background: As people age and become more care-dependent, their oral health requirements increase, as access to dental care decreases.

Methods: A survey was sent to practitioners who potentially provided a mobile dental service (n = 253). Five interviews were conducted with six individuals who have a leading role in Geriatric dentistry in the four universities in Switzerland that provide dental training.

Results: The private sector provides a mobile dental service to the elderly mainly through the use of portable equipment, while university services are provided by different models. The interviewees discussed the reasons as to why these services were set up. They discussed the challenges associated with treating dependent elderly patients, which often makes work in this field hard and unattractive. Both sectors see the need for better collaboration with other professionals.

Conclusions: The private sector in Switzerland provides a mobile dental service to elderly people mostly through the use of portable equipment, while university services are provided in a variable configuration of models. Better collaboration is required to improve dental care and service delivery to dependent elders. There is a potential for improvement of these services, in order to meet the demand of an ageing population, catering for both the institutionalised elders and those living at home.