This study was conducted at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), to ascertain the need for Oral Health Care among home-bound individuals, under the care of the Home Care Department of PSMMC. Although 5600 patients were under the care of the Home Care Department, only 2565 were actively visited by the home care staff. All eligible active patients were virtually screened by the dental home care survey team. Of 2565 patients, 633 required dental home care (25%), while 1932 had multiple reasons for not being included in the study. Individuals who were willing to undergo the dental screening home visits were categorized geographically according to their district zone of residence and home dental screening was performed by the team. The patients were then recategorized according to the dental treatment needed. Of the patients, 63 %,23%, and 35% required prosthetic treatment, restorative procedures, and minor oral surgeries, respectively. Two hundred and five (12%) could not be treated outside hospital settings owing to their medical status or the complexity of the dental procedure needed; however, follow-up and regular dental examinations could be performed at home to exclude early signs of oral infection or critical malignant disease and to assist in education and oral hygiene instructions. A dental setting is the best environment to provide dental treatment; however, there are some cases in which domiciliary provision is the only reasonable alternative. This survey will help in planning the future guidelines, equipment, staff, and budget needed to provide dental home care services in PSMMC.
