Dr. Nicole Kuhlbaum and her husband expanded their dental services beyond the traditional office setting. With the support of Assistant Manager Dayton, the couple transformed their practice into a fully equipped mobile dental clinic, traveling throughout Kansas and Missouri to treat patients who might otherwise be denied care.
The Kuhlbaums opened their Overland Park practice three years ago, but they wanted to serve more than just those who could fit into a dental chair.
“We see patients in wheelchairs, in hospice beds, and even in chairs at the dining table—because not everyone who needs dental care can come to the office,” Dr. Kuhlbaum explains.
The mobile dental clinic allows her team to provide services directly to patients in their homes, from routine cleanings to more complex procedures. “We bring our equipment into the hospital and set it up on the dining table or bedside—anywhere we can,” she says.
This model is particularly helpful for patients with limited mobility or special needs. “Many people feel uncomfortable leaving their familiar surroundings,” Dr. Kuhlbaum notes. “For example, if your child has special needs, being able to be seen at home is incredibly helpful.”
For patients like 80-year-old Patricia Morris, this convenience is life-changing. “I think it’s fantastic,” Morris said.
“Just finding someone who can drive a van and push a wheelchair is hard enough. It means a lot to me that the dental team can come to me.”
What began as a small community clinic has evolved into a one-of-a-kind practice—a dental clinic without walls, where the waiting room can be as simple as a kitchen table.