Now that we have gained our non-profit status, our goal is to start up a second van to have a second full-time team of staff to service residents of additional long-term care facilities. During the process of marketing to new facilities, it would be very helpful to have a professional looking website so that facilily administrators can quickly understand how we function and how we can contribute to the health of their residents. The website would be a great business development tool. Also, when applying for grants, having a website would greatly assist in representing our organization to grantmakers. Also, since individual donors statistically contribute the largest percentage of money to non-profits, a website would really help us communicate who we are and what our mission is to the public at large. Money raised through grants or individual donors would further help us carry out our mission and start new programs. We would want the website directed towards potential donors (concerned members of our community, families of our patients), grantmakers (foundations, corporations, and governmental sources), and potential clients (long-term care facilities). It would be great to have a place where people could donate though the website. Also, in our effort to have 'house parties' where people learn about our organization, as well as other fundraising events, it would be helpful to have the ability for participants to sign up for events thorugh the website.
When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's F1 Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other
I am the originator of the for-profit organization MobilDent, Ltd, which was a precursor to Doorstep Healthcare Services. My first experience with providing on site care for frail, elderly, and mentally and/or physically disabled folks was February of 1961. Over these many years I have been responsible for the delivery of over 450,000 patient visits.
With that background described it is easy to understand that I find continuing service to institutionalized folks a necessary part of the health system in the Twin Cities. Keeping in mind that most dentists are not equipped to provide on site service and don’t want to provide such a service, the continued vibrant provision of on site dental care by Doorstep Healthcare Services is unique and provides the very best in quality dental services. The service provided by Doorstep Healthcare Services provides financial advantages to the patient and long-term care facilitiy, also. The service goes to the facility and the costs for that are much less than having to transport each patient to a dental office. There is much less stress on the patient when a service comes to the patient compared to having to take them to a dental office - which likely wouldn't be equipped to handle those with disabilities. For elderly and disabled folks it is a real blessing.
Although the value of this service can easily be substantiated by talking with the patients, staff, families, etc., it must be understood that as the instigator of this kind of care in the Twin Cities, and one of the first dentists in the nation to provide on site, full service, best quality dental care to institutionalized persons, I am especially pleased to see Doorstep Healthcare Serivices continue and grow in its service to our community. A website would really assist with this mission!
Dr. Stephen G. Sinykin
I started the for-profit which was a precursor to Doorstep Healthcare Services. I am not on the board and do not work for Doorstep Healthcare Services.
I have worked closely with the Doorstep Dental staff since the company’s inception in 2006. I had called upon Lynne Mader when I made the transition to Bethel Care Center last year to set up services at this facility as they did not have an in-house dental provider. Our primary clientele at Bethel Care Center consist of ventilator dependent residents (who find it impossible to seek private dental services due to the need for a nurse to accompany and large amounts of life support equipment to be transported) as well as those with dementia and behavioral challenges. We also care for several residents with language barriers.
I am impressed by the level of professionalism and creativity utilized by Dr. Malik and the direct care staff in treating our residents at Bethel Care Center: the team's patience shown with just trying to get a person to open their mouth or comply with an exam is exemplary. I have never seen the dental crew turn someone away because they are considered “difficult”. The treatment goals are realistic to the resident’s needs; for example, if the responsible party indicates they do not wish for any further dental work, the risks and benefits are explained, and the treatment plan adjusted accordingly. There is no “push” to complete non-essential dental work (as may occur in some private practices). The office staff is extremely helpful and friendly, and strives to make special accommodation when a resident’s family member wishes to attend the appointment or special activities are planned. All DHS employees strive to keep the lines of communication clear, and meeting the resident’s oral care needs at the forefront. Having a transportor come with the dental team further promotes the communication between dental and nursing staff, and frees up facility staff to complete their normal duties. I am very happy with Doorstep Dentals services and overall performance, and look forward to a long working relationship with them!
Carol Anderson, Health Information Services, Bethel Care Center
Doorstep Dental Service is a wonderful service to our facilty for many of reasons. Most dental offices in the community are not equipped to handle patients that are in wheelchairs and unable to walk. Most dental offices will not see patients that they cannot tranfser into their dental chair, because their equipment is centered around that chair. Doorstep Dental is able to allow patients to stay in their wheelchair if need be and still be seen because their equipment is portable and not stationed down. The staff from Doorstep Dental is trained in dealing with elderly and disabled patients and are able to adapt to the needs of the patient instead of the patient trying to adapt to the needs of the office. For some patients, traveling out to unfamiliar surroundings like a dental office is very frightful. Because Doorstep Dental comes into our facility (their home) and set up an office, our residents do not have to worry about not knowing where they are or how they are going to get back home. A staff member is able to take them from their room to where the dentist is without having to leave the facility. Poor dental care is an issue for many elderly patients and can contribute to declining health. Doorstep Dental is able to send professional and courteous staff to make regular dental visits to our facility to ensure our residents get the dental care they need and deserve. Without a service like Doorstep Dental Service many of our elderly patients would not get any dental care.
Jamie Brandvold, Director of Medical Records, Southview Acres Healthcare Center - client of DHS
As a 88 year old man who knows many people residing in long-term care settings, I am well aware of the challenges of these residents in obtaining dental care. Doorstep Healthcare Services provides an extremely valuable service in providing dental care in a long-term care resident's own setting - many of these residents would otherwise be forced to go without care. I volunteered for be on the board of directors of DHS because I personally know of the need. The board is mobilized together to work toward meeting the large amount of unmet dental need in Minnesota, and having a website to help educate potential grantors and individual donors --- as well as for business development opportunities --- would be very useful for us.
Elliot Royce, board member, donor
As a long term care administrator, I am particularly grateful for the work that is done by Doorstep Healthcare. Oral care is extremely important for maintaining overall health of our residents. Since the majority are covered by Medical Assistance, it is very difficult to find dental providers who are willing to provide services. Doorstep Helathcare has embraced the challenge of bringing quality dental services to nursing home residents who would not otherwise have the means to see the dentist. They do their work with professionalism and compassion, and make a huge contribution to quality of care and quality of life. Thank you Doorstep Healthcare!
Ernest Gershone, Executive Director, Delano Golden Living
Doorstep Healthcare Services
5861 Cedar Lk. Rd.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Our Mission
Doorstep Healthcare Services’ mission is to provide caring, high-quality, and comprehensive oral healthcare services to underserved populations, such as the elderly, mentally and/or physically disabled, and economically disadvantaged, by providing dental care and education with a mobile dental unit and team in their own environment. We serve this community to work towards our vision of eliminating health disparities, currently serving residents of 40 long-term care facilities.
Doorstep Healthcare Services is the oldest provider of mobile dentistry in MN to residents of nursing homes and assisted living settings. These individuals often have great difficulty in otherwise obtaining these services due to transportation and cost issues associated with these settings. This is an underserved population for comprehensive dental care, including annual exams, prophylaxis, extractions and prosthetics. Reimbursement for services is so low that many local, fixed-site dentists cannot serve these patients even if they are brought to their dental offices. Persons living in long-term care facilities include those with dementia, physical handicaps, persistent mental illness or fragile health. In Minnesota, the largest concentration of these individuals is found in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The need is growing. Americans are aging, and by 2030, one-fifth of the population will be 65 years and older. Expansion through the creation of a second dental team will enable Doorstep to provide service to more facilities.
Dr. Stephen G. Sinykin started Doorstep Dental Services 30 years ago under the name Mobile Dent as a response to this great need. He provided mobile dentistry services for 25 years in 40 nursing homes in the Twin City area. In an effort to provide a higher level of service to our under-served population, Doorstep Healthcare Services applied for and successfully gained 501c3 tax-exempt status in July of 2007!
You can refer to Nick Coleman's timely article this week about the challenge Community Clinics like us face in the state of Minnesota. This is a sad case of a badly needed clinic being forced to close due to state financial constraints:
http://www.startribune.com/local/14471557.html
Doorstep Healthcare Services
