Bringing Dental Care to Underserved Communities
Kimberly Perlot, DT, MASH, EPDH, struggled to access dental care as an adolescent. She has used that experience to propel her career into ensuring her fellow Oregonians don’t face the same barriers she did and can receive the dental care they deserve.
An expanded practice dental hygienist and dental therapist, Kimberly Perlot, DT, MASH, EPDH, provides care to some of the most underserved populations in Central Oregon. Working with Capitol Dental Care, she not only operates a mobile dental unit but is also a pioneer teledentistry and medical-dental integration.
The 2024 president-elect of the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association, Perlot also serves on the Oregon Institute of technology Dental Hygiene Advisory Board and the Central Oregon Health Collation. Her impact on dental care and community health is profound and far-reaching. In this Sunstar Ebrief, she shares her inspiration and the vital role dental therapists play in improving oral health.
From Personal Experience to Professional Advocacy
For Perlot, her journey toward becoming a dental therapist was deeply personal. “As a child, I fractured my anterior incisor #8 and had it extracted just before my freshman year of high school,” she recalls. “Growing up in a rural part of Oregon, well below the poverty line, meant that a root canal or crown to save the tooth was not an option.”
Perlot attended all 4 years of high school missing a prominent front tooth, an experience that left a lasting impression. This personal hardship instilled in her a deep empathy for those in need of dental care — especially those unable to access it due to financial or geographic barriers. “That experience stayed with me and fueled my desire to give back to those less fortunate,” she explains.
When the opportunity arose to become a dental therapist through Pilot #300 at Pacific University in Hillsborough, Oregon, Perlot knew it was the perfect way to make a difference. “It has allowed me to help the most underserved populations in Oregon, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
Dental Therapists: Expanding Access in Rural Areas
Perlot’s current work revolves around operating a mobile dental unit that reaches rural communities across Central Oregon. She describes her role as a dental therapist as being on the frontlines of improving access to care: “The biggest contribution dental therapists make is opening doors to dental care in rural areas.”
Her mobile dental van serves a wide range of communities, traveling between locations from Madras to LaPine, Oregon. In addition to traditional dental offices, the van reaches recovery facilities, medical clinics, and transient shelters. Perlot says, “We have a steady schedule that includes health fairs and community events, providing services to populations that would otherwise miss out on dental care.”
The flexibility of the mobile van creates a safe and calming space for patients with dental anxiety. “We can move at their pace, ensuring they get the care they need in an environment that works for them,” she adds.
A Lifelong Commitment to Community Health
Perlot’s work is a testament to her commitment to making dental care accessible for all. From pioneering teledentistry in Madras, Oregon, to setting up co-located medical-dental clinics, her efforts bridge the gap between oral health and overall wellness. Whether it’s through her mobile unit, leadership roles, or community outreach, Perlot is shaping the future of dental care—one patient at a time.
