Modalities of mobile dental units worldwide: a scoping review

The strategy of transporting health teams to remote areas using equipped vehicles is effective in expanding health coverage. However, the viability of this service depends on geopolitical factors, the health needs of the population, and existing health models, and knowledge about how this modality works is essential for its successful implementation. The aim of this study is to map scientific evidence on the strategies employed by mobile dental units around the world and to establish relationships between the strategies and their effectiveness. This scoping review followed the methodological guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus, Embase, and gray literature databases were searched using predefined descriptors from the Health Sciences Descriptors and Medical Subject Headings. Studies were identified and evaluated using blinded peer review to answer the guiding question: "what are the modalities of mobile dental units around the world?". Studies without language and time restrictions, from public and private domains, that described mobile oral health care systems were included. After screening 2,059 studies and removing duplicates, 55 were included. The studies were published in 19 countries between 1974 and 2024, with observational studies and experience reports predominating. Public sources and non-profit institutions funded the majority of studies, and vans and trailers were the most common vehicles, with services provided primarily to children and vulnerable populations. Common services included dental restorations, extractions, and oral health education. Data analysis indicated that mobile dental units are a crucial component in expanding access to dental care.