As the population ages, access to oral healthcare for older adults continues to be a growing challenge.
For more than 40 years, the University of Iowa College of Dentistry has been a national leader in geriatric dentistry, advancing care through innovative clinical programs, influential research, and specialized education for future dental professionals.
Our renowned Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit program allows students to deliver on-site dental care using state-of-the-art mobile and portable dental equipment.
A cornerstone of this work is the Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit, which brings comprehensive dental care directly to residents of 10 local nursing facilities. Established in 1979, the program uses advanced portable equipment to provide onsite services in a familiar and comfortable setting. Patients receive a full range of care, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures and emergency treatment when needed. A dental hygienist also provides routine six-month preventive cleanings.
Care is delivered by senior dental students and graduate students under the supervision of specialty-trained faculty, ensuring patients receive high-quality treatment while students gain valuable experience caring for older adults and individuals with complex healthcare needs. Emergency services are provided onsite when possible or through referral to the Delta Dental of Iowa Geriatric & Special Needs Clinic at the College of Dentistry.
Our dedication to serving vulnerable populations expanded in 1985 with the establishment of the Geriatric & Special Needs Program, which combines the Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit and the Delta Dental of Iowa Geriatric & Special Needs Clinic. Together, these programs provide comprehensive care for frail and dependent older adults and individuals with special needs while offering dental students a unique and extensive clinical experience rarely found elsewhere in the country.
Today, every fourth-year dental student participates in this program as a required part of their education, building on a third-year course in geriatric dentistry. Through hands-on experiences in the clinic and mobile unit, students learn to deliver compassionate, community-based care to patients who might otherwise have limited access to oral healthcare.
Our mission is simple, To improve access to quality dental care for nursing home residents and individuals with special healthcare needs while preparing future generations of dentists to serve these populations in their own communities.
By bringing care directly to patients and training tomorrow's dental leaders, we continue a tradition of innovation, service and excellence that has earned national recognition and improved countless lives.