At Home (for the homebound)
Having my dentist come to my residence has made a world of difference. —Sarah
Are you or a loved one homebound? Let our dentists and hygienists come to you.
For individuals who have physical, medical or cognitive challenges that make it difficult to travel to the dentist, we provide house calls. We care for hundreds of patients in their homes or senior communities each year, serving those who live within a 60-mile radius of San Francisco and New York City.
We are committed to removing all barriers to receiving dental care, regardless of age or infirmity. If someone has difficulty traveling to a dentist, our team will bring the care directly to them. Here is a detailed list of medical conditions and special needs we can help.
Our fully equipped team of dentists, registered dental assistants, and mobile hygienists provide in-home dental evaluations and treatment with portable dental equipment. Based on our assessment and determination of the level of care required, treatment may be delivered in the home, or under sedation in our office or in the hospital. Providing sedation in any of these locations allows us to complete care in as few as one or two visits.
We partner with families, care facilities and health care providers, including dentists, physicians, care managers and social workers to develop a targeted daily dental care plan that compliments successful treatment.
Q: What service area do you cover?
A: The Blende Dental Group’s House Call Dentists serve the greater San Francisco Bay Area, within a 60-mile radius of San Francisco, including the following counties: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Napa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, and Sonoma County. If we are not currently serving your area, we may be able to offer you a referral for a another house call dentist that does. The Blende Dental Group serves cities including: Alameda, Alamo, Albany, Atherton, Bay Farm Island, Belmont, Belvedere, Berkeley, Bernal Heights, Blackhawk, Bolinas, Brisbane, Broadmoor, Burlingame, Castro District, Castro Valley, Chinatown, Concord, Corte Madera, Cotati, Crockett, Cupertino, Danville, Diablo, Dublin, East Palo Alto, East Richmond Heights, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Emerald Lake Hills, Emeryville, Fairfax, Fisherman’s Wharf, Forest Hill, Fremont, Haight-Ashbury, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Hercules, Hillsborough, Jordan Park, Kensington, Kentfield, La Honda, Lafayette, Lagunitas, Larkspur, Laurel Heights, Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Marin City, Marin, Marina District, Marinwood, Martinez, Menlo Park, Mill Valley, Millbrae, Milpitas, Miramar, Mission District, Montclair, Moraga, Moss Beach, Mountain View, Muir Beach, Newark, Noe Valley, North Beach, North Fair Oaks, North Richmond, Novato, Oakland, Oceanview, Orinda, Pacific Heights, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Petaluma, Piedmont, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Port Costa, Portola Valley, Potrero Hill, Presidio, Presidio Heights, Redwood City, Rheem Valley, Richmond District, Richmond, Rodeo, Rohnert Park, Rollingwood, Ross, Rossmoor, Saint Francis Wood, San Anselmo, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Francisco, SF, San Geronimo, San Jose, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Saratoga, Sausalito, Seacliff, SF Downtown, Sky Londa, Sleepy Hollow, SOMA, Sonoma, South Basin, South San Francisco, Stinson Beach, Strawberry, Sunnyvale, Sunset District, Tara Hills, Terra Linda, Tiburon, Twin Peaks, Union City, Union Square, Walnut Creek, West Menlo Park, Western Addition, Woodacre and Woodside.
Q: Who are the patients who most frequently utilize the The Blende Dental Group’s House Call Service?
A: We frequently make house call visits to the homes and/or living communities of the elderly, or those who are homebound with special needs or medical complications. We are committed to working with both family and caregivers to arrange dental care programs specifically designed for the particular needs of each patient within the familiar comfort of their home. The average age of our seniors is 80.
Q: What treatment will I receive during my initial house call?
A: For your initial house call, our dentist will arrive with a registered dental assistant. We will get to know you by reviewing your medical and dental history, listening carefully to your concerns and answering all of your questions. We don’t begin treatment until you’re absolutely comfortable that we fully understand the needs of everyone concerned.
The dentist will then conduct a visual examination, and the assistant will take photographs of your mouth for your records. Next they will take all necessary digital dental x-rays, which the dentist can interpret immediately.
Based on what we learn from the examination and x-rays, we will consult with you regarding our diagnoses and review your treatment options. If we are unable to fix the problem immediately, a patient care coordinator will contact you to schedule any further treatment, when necessary. Whenever possible, these services will be provided at your residence.
Q: Will I have dental procedures during my initial house call?
A: The primary purposes of our initial house call are to resolve emergencies, make the initial examinations that will allow us to fully understand your dental needs, and listen to your questions and concerns. If we can do procedures simply and safely in the home or community we will do so. We have portable dental equipment for that purpose.
Q: Will I have a cleaning during my initial house call?
A: Possibly, if that is the primary concern. We work with a team of mobile dental hygienists (called RDHAP’s, or Registered Dental Hygienists of Alternative Practice). They are licensed to work in the home and with those with special needs. After your initial treatment, we will put you in direct contact with a mobile hygienist near you and you can schedule follow-up cleanings directly with that person.
Q: How long will my house call take?
A: The average initial house call appointment, including examination and x-rays, takes approximately one hour. However, your dentist will spend as much time with you as necessary to ensure that all your questions are answered and all your concerns are addressed.
Q: Do you take dental x-rays during a house call?
A: Yes. Dental x-rays are a standard diagnostic tool for dentists. Our state-of-the-art portable x-ray machine and lead x-ray shield ensure minimal exposure to radiation (equal to or less than in-office x-rays). The x-ray images are digital, and can be immediately viewed and interpreted by the dentist on a laptop computer.
Q: What if I need treatment that cannot be provided in my home?
A: Some dental procedures cannot be completed in the home, due to the complexity of treatment or safety considerations. If necessary, we will provide these procedures, either at our dental offices or at one of the many hospitals with which we work. We can help you receive transport should this be necessary.
Q: Will you talk to my family / caregiver?
A: With your permission, we will involve anyone you request in your care decisions, including family members, caregivers or health care providers. We also routinely work with conservators, guardians and those with Power of Attorney (POA). We strongly encourage all who will be involved in the decisions regarding treatment to be present for the initial house call visit.
Q: What if I have a dental emergency?
A. The Blende Dental Group is qualified to treat many forms of dental emergencies for the homebound at the patient’s residence. You may be able to avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency room if you call us first. For emergencies for those with special needs, we are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing prompt response to dental emergencies.