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Rio de Janeiro begins offering services with a portable dental clinic.
Published on 28/04/2026 - 14:34 | Updated on 28/04/2026 - 14:41
The device serves elderly and bedridden patients, in addition to allowing for active user outreach - Press Release/SMS Rio has a new mobile health service: the Portable Dental Equipment (EOP). This device, a compact unit similar to a wheeled suitcase, allows dentists from the Municipal Health Department's Primary Care network to provide care in the homes of patients with reduced mobility, such as the elderly and/or bedridden. The structure also enables care in schools, communities, and shelters, allowing for proactive outreach to users.
This is a mobile dental unit equipped with a chair, ultrasound equipment, high and low-speed handpieces, an air compressor, a water system, a suction device, and hoses. With the EOP (Mobile Dental Equipment), professionals can perform everything from preventative cleanings to more complex procedures such as fillings and extractions. In total, there are 50 units distributed throughout the city.
"With this equipment, we can recreate a dental office in the patient's home with all the necessary resources to perform the same dental procedures offered at the family clinic, but which the user could not access due to their reduced mobility. With this, we are guaranteeing access to oral health care for bedridden people, those with disabilities, or those with mobility difficulties," says the municipal Secretary of Health, Rodrigo Prado.
– All procedures offered in the Primary Care network can now also be performed at home. Before this equipment, this was very difficult, and the oral care we provided to patients at home was limited to preventive, educational, and basic clinical care. With the EOP (Early Childhood Dental Equipment), we have increased assistance and effectiveness for people with reduced mobility – adds the Oral Health Coordinator of the Municipal Health Department, Patrícia Heras.
Dignity at home
Alberto Vicente, 67, was one of the first patients to benefit from the mobile service, and underwent a tooth extraction in his living room. Bedridden, the retiree depends on the care of his younger brother, Ronaldo José Vicente, 62, with whom he lives on Ilha do Governador, in the North Zone.
"He can no longer walk, he can't even stand up on his own, he's totally dependent on me. The oral health team came to do his dental treatment here at home and we are so grateful for the convenience," says Ronaldo.
Alberto was already being monitored by the Wilma Costa Family Clinic. During a home visit, the unit's team identified the need to refer him to a dental surgeon.
– The dentist came, did an evaluation, and returned to perform the tooth extraction. Given his difficulty moving around, she thought it best to operate at home. And everything went well. I thought the initiative was great. It will help not only my brother, but many other people – says Ronaldo.
Sheyla Freire, who is part of the SMS Oral Health team and monitored the procedure, highlights the innovative nature of the EOP.
– This equipment makes it possible to perform more complex dental treatments in homes, as was the case in Mr. Alberto's house. Not only in homes, but throughout the entire territory. It's a new development that expands access, especially for bedridden patients. We are very happy with this possibility that we can now offer throughout the municipality of Rio – emphasizes the dentist.
The 477 oral health teams in Rio are made up of dentists, technicians, and health assistants, and they work alongside the Family Health Strategy. To find out which Primary Care unit is closest to your home, simply consult the "Where to be Treated" section.https://svs.rio.br/epirio/).
Scheduling via mobile phone
Since 2024, it has also been possible to schedule appointments with dentists in the municipal network via mobile phone. In addition to offering appointment scheduling with doctors and nurses and exams, the portal and app... myhealth.rio It makes scheduling dental appointments in Primary Care available with just one click. With these tools, users can also access, consult, and view a range of information without leaving home.
To schedule an appointment with the dentist by myhealth.rioTo schedule an appointment, simply access the platform via the web version or the app (available for Android and iOS), and log in with your CPF number and password. In the main menu, just click on "appointments" and then on the "appointment scheduling" tab. Next, select the professional you wish to consult with, and then the date and time you wish to consult. Then, just confirm the appointment and you're done. Each unit reserves a portion of its schedule for bookings exclusively through this platform. myhealth.rio.
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