Pioneering Onsite Dental Care for Seniors with Dementia

Every year, Maude’s Ventures invests in new solutions to improve the well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers. The organization is proud to announce that the 2024 Maude’s Ventures winner is San Francisco-based Tranquility Health.

Inspired by her own family’s experience navigating health care for a loved one with dementia, Amanda Amaro, DDS, founder of Tranquility Health and a Certified Dementia Practitioner, developed a comprehensive onsite care model that allows dental patients to be seen in a comfortable and familiar environment. Tranquility Health addresses a critical gap in access to high-quality dentistry care to residents in independent living facilities, assisted living communities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities. 

A leader in elder dental care and community-focused dentistry with extensive experience treating patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, Dr. Amaro and Tranquility Health’s affiliated doctors are dedicated to providing care to one of the most dentally underserved populations in the United States – older adults with cognitive impairments.

Dr. Amaro’s approach reflects a deep-rooted belief in the importance of aligning personal values with professional practices, a cornerstone of her success in delivering compassionate care. Maude’s Ventures is excited to support Tranquility Health in making its innovative vision a reality.

Meeting an Essential Need

Poor oral health can significantly impact overall physical health, social, and emotional well-being for people living with dementia. Unfortunately, senior living community caregivers are underprepared to provide proactive oral care, leading to neglect until acute oral health issues develop.

Tranquility Health meets seniors where they are to support overall oral health and provide complementary training for caregivers to assist with effective oral care. Today, Tranquility Health has managed onsite dental care for more than 450 patients with dementia across 100-plus senior living communities and residential care facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“An incredibly rewarding aspect of our practice is providing peace of mind to families and care partners, particularly those caring for persons with late-stage dementia,” Dr. Amaro said. “Our dentists are Certified Dementia Providers and often treat patients with late-stage dementia, those who are bedbound and/or on hospice. Our dedication for this population is infused with passion, a sentiment that resonates with patients, their families, and care partners.”

Dreaming Big

Tranquility Health aims to become the leading provider of onsite ancillary healthcare services (dentistry, podiatry, and dermatology) in the next decade, setting industry standards for ethical, personalized, and compassionate care. Tranquility Health has ensured its model can be easily replicated, enabling the company to extend its reach to more individuals with dementia in senior living communities.

“We are honored to have been chosen for funding from Maude’s Ventures,” Dr. Amaro said. “This support enables us to expand our services and reach more residents who face challenges in accessing care in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting. Thank you for recognizing the essential role oral health plays in the overall health and well-being of individuals with dementia.”

Contributor Giulia Benvenuto is an executive assistant with The Ferry Foundations. Visit Maude’s Ventures or follow Maude’s Ventures on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more.