Oral Health Mobile Dental Imaging Project

Overview

Initiative type

Service Improvement

Status

Deliver

Published

04 March 2022

Summary

In alignment with Destination 2030’s “Great Care, Great Experience” strategic objective, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (HHS) has implemented a mobile dental imaging service to deliver care closer to home for residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs), mental health units, disability care homes, and for patients requiring general anaesthesia in operating theatres.

Key dates

Jan 2021 - Dec 2021

Implementation sites

Theatre 5 Rockhampton Base Hospital, Eventide Residential Aged Care Facility, North Rockhampton Nursing Centre, Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Birribi (disability care)

Partnerships

Frail older persons collaborative (project sponsor)

Aim

The aim of this project is to implement a mobile dental imaging service into off-site oral health screening and treatment procedures.

Outcomes

  • dental imaging services available for residents of aged care facilities, mental health units and disability care homes across Central Queensland HHS (public and private)
  • dental imaging services available for in theatre imaging
  • dental imaging provided closer to home (where safe and in keeping with patient choice)
  • reduce dental imaging wait times
  • toolkit available to support implementation of mobile dental imaging in other HHSs
  • earlier identification of dental issues requiring assessment.

Background

Data has shown that 21% of Residential Aged Care and residents with disabilities were unable to attend their Oral Health appointments between 2016 and 2021. The main reason given was that of transport barriers (up to 79%). This trend was also noticeable to the Oral Health team at Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.

With support from the Queensland Technology Futures Funding (QTFF) - sponsored by by the Frail Older Person's Collaborative - Central Queensland HHS has embarked on a project to provide care closer to home.

Methods

  • Dental imaging software was downloaded on laptops that could be transported to residential age care facilities, theatre, mental health units and disability care homes.
  • Dental imaging sensors and mobile dental imaging equipment was procured together with special suitcases that would facilitate transport off site.
  • During off-site visits, radiographs were taken during dental exams to facilitate improved diagnosis of dental disease and more accurate treatment planning .
  • Web applications were developed to collect feedback.

Key contact

Liza Pretorius

Project Lead - CQHHS Mobile Dental Imaging Project

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service

Email:  liza.pretorius@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: April 2025

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