Equipment and Supplies

Purchasing initial equipment and supplies can be a time-consuming task. The team must consider the needs of the population, the services that will be provided, and space available. There are a large variety of portable delivery systems/units. Table 3 lists the equipment the team may need. When selecting a system, the team must consider the water supply (internal or external), the air compressor (built in or a separate unit), the suction (high speed and/or low speed), what kind of hand pieces will be used, and the amount of noise that is acceptable. Table 4 lists the disposable supplies that may be needed for providing prophylaxis, radiographs, exams, and sealants. The disposable supplies are not much different than those needed in a private practice operatory. The team should have a routine maintenance schedule to prevent malfunctions and a repair plan in place for quality control.

Example of wheelchair recline platform in use.

Example of wheelchair recline platform in use.

Source: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry

Example of supply storage.

Example of supply storage.

Source: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry