WesleyLife partnership with Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation for mobile dental services May 23, 2016
WesleyLife Communities • Karen Bentsen, Executive Director – Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa –
[email protected]
• Chris Marshall, Executive Director – Halcyon House in Washington, Iowa –
[email protected]
• About WesleyLife
Need for oral care services in long-term care setting • Relationship between dental wellness and overall resident health • Concern for those in rural nursing facilities who did not receive dental care of any kind due to barriers such as— – Accessibility to dental services for residents in wheelchairs – Accessibility for residents on Medicaid or those who were financially unable to pay
WesleyLife Miles of Smiles Mobile Oral Health Clinic • Began in Atlantic, Iowa, in 2007 • Successful partnership between Dr. Carrol Trewet and his team with Heritage House • Delta Dental grant made it possible for start-up of WesleyLife Miles of Smiles • Area of dental services coverage was anticipated to cover nursing facilities in Cass and surrounding counties
Scope of Services • • • • • • • • •
Examinations Prophys/Cleaning Fluoride varnish Tooth Extractions Some fillings Light Denture Repairs Treatment plans Complex issues completed offsite Six month intervals
Halcyon House Mobile Oral Health Clinic added in 2014 • Grant process for Halcyon House Miles of Smiles mobile dental services began in 2012 • Grant Process Steps – Complete application – Letters of recommendation – Communication with area dentists – Detailed budget of income and expenses – Answers to DDIF Grant Sub-Committee – Presentation to DDIF Board
Alignment with DDIF 2020 Strategic Vision
Grant Received • Halcyon House grant was for $65,000 • Some Items included: – – – – – – – – – – – –
X-ray equipment Mobile operatory and hand pieces Statim autoclave Cavitron Chair, stool Versatilt Computer and software Loops Ultrasonic sterilizer Supplies Insurance Numerous small items
Halcyon House Provided:
• Storage Space, Shelving, Refrigerator • Vehicle with ramp to transport all equipment to nursing facilities • Garage space for vehicle • Bookkeeper for billings and payment of wages
Vehicle purchased for the program
Lessons Learned from Atlantic Operation • Difficulty in transferring residents from wheelchairs to dental chair • Requirement that nurse aide complete transfer, sometimes caused wait times • Versatilt Option
Washington Dental Team • • • •
Dr. James Harris, DDS (paid per service) Debbie Leith, Dental Hygienist ($38/hr) Halcyon House Accounting Team (no fee) Fee Schedule: – Eval $35 – Prophy/Cleaning $75 – Varnish $25 – Extractions $145+ – Fillings $125+
Normal Operation • Nursing facilities provide private room with sink availability for dental services • Dental team transports mobile equipment via lift van to nursing facility; nursing facility team members provide assistance with bringing in equipment • Nursing facilities work with dental team to make sure appointments flow smoothly and help determine who should be seen and for what reasons • Any services beyond scope of mobile abilities would be scheduled at the office • Clean up of mobile equipment completed onsite • Clean up/sterilization of tools completed at Harris dental office
Resident billing • Paperwork with each resident or their representative completed for services • Services are tracked through dental software/computer • Halcyon House accounting office adds cost for private pay individuals to their monthly invoices • Halcyon House bills other facilities one lump sum for their facility resident charges • Halcyon House submits claims to Medicaid for its residents
Continuing Operation • Our purpose in adding mobile dental services was to give access to dental care for our residents and those of other nursing facilities who did not receive dental care; we did not and do not wish to affect existing relationships with dentists and their patients/our residents. • Expansion of services as well as continuing of dental services depends on availability of the dentist’s time each month, and also availability of a new dentist when the current dentist retires. • We are very pleased with our mobile dental operation and will continue to work to expand our services.
Questions?
www.wesleylife.org