Natasha Pelley, owner of the mobile clinic SnuggleTooth Smile Mobile, recently appeared in a Hygiene Spotlight Q&A. As someone who travels to rural areas providing dental care with her mobile clinic, she provided some advice for other dental hygienists hoping to start their own mobile clinic, or clinic in general.
Do your research: Reach out to mobile dental hygienists on social media. Some are eager to help, while others may be busy—this is understandable, so be patient. There are many types of mobile carts available, so find one that’s most suitable for you. Look up reviews on websites and social media and pay attention to how heavy the equipment is.
Make connections: Contact smaller towns, group homes, and long-term care facilities in your area. Always carry business cards and make as many contacts as you can.
Be prepared for challenges: I’m still figuring out the quirks of my vehicle, so have patience with the process.
Utilize resources: Connect with your local dental representative—thank goodness for Sinclair and Ed! Join independent hygiene groups on Facebook and groups focused on buying and selling used equipment but be cautious of scams.
Learn practical skills: Develop handy skills for small repairs, as they become easier with time. Understand how to properly maintain your equipment and follow provincial, college, or association guidelines.
Stay organized: This can be challenging with a part-time job and two clinics. Keep all your receipts in one place and figure out a system that works best for you.
Take care of yourself: Don’t be hard on yourself; everything takes time. Make sure to get plenty of sleep and take relaxing baths.
Explore funding opportunities: Look for available grants. I joined NLOWE, a local women’s association for entrepreneurs, and my rep suggested I apply for a grant, which I received for social media training with Olivia @AmplifiedSocial. She’s now helping me build my website, and I hope to hire her company for my social media posts in the future.
Capture moments: Take lots of pictures—you never know when they might come in handy for future posts!
Test drive the vehicle: If possible, test drive the vehicle before purchasing. In my case, I didn’t, and it worked out well—she’s great to drive! Explore dealerships and used car websites and check out medical transport companies that may sell ambulances at a good price. Remember, ambulances often come with batteries, while sprinter vans require you to start from scratch, which can be exciting but also very expensive.
Test drive dental software: Explore both cloud-based and downloaded versions of dental software, as each has its benefits and disadvantages. Sign up for demos—many are free—and don’t hesitate to ask for a free week to play around with the software; many companies offer this option if you request it.
Understand insurance: Although we don’t base treatments on insurance, many clients want to know about their coverage. Learn as much as possible about different insurance plans to help answer their questions effectively.
Good luck!