Dentaid provides life-changing dental care in Cornwall
People experiencing homelessness in Cornwall have been able to receive emergency dental care as Dentaid The Dental Charity brings its services to the county. We have been working in partnership with Harbour Housing and Bodmin Way, which provide services for vulnerable people across the south west.
Volunteer dentists and dental nurses have provided three days of mobile dental care at Harbour Housing’s headquarters in St Austell and St Petroc’s Parish Centre in Bodmin. Treatments included extractions and fillings for people suffering from toothache along with dental health advice and preventative treatments.
One resident who was seen by Dentaid’s volunteers in St Austell said: “It’s taken years to get here. It was painless, well explained & the lady listened to my concerns before I went in. I was so nervous due to my phobia but it meant I could get a check-up and a referral.”
Dentaid now has eleven mobile dental units that travel the UK visiting soup kitchens, hostels, temporary accommodation and community buildings. Dental problems can have a huge impact on the lives and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness, with research carried out by Groundswell indicating that more than half of those who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed are living with long-term toothache.
“We’ve had a long-held ambition for us to bring our outreach services to Cornwall after hearing that people experiencing homelessness and health inequalities are having real difficulty in accessing the dental care they need,” said Jill Harding, Head of Fundraising and Communications for Dentaid. “It’s a pleasure to work alongside Harbour Housing and Bodmin Way.”
Our clients were thrilled with the visit from their mobile surgery this week”, said Malcolm Putko, Operations Director at Harbour Housing. “Harbour is a charity on a mission, supporting Cornwall’s most vulnerable in their recovery from homelessness. A key issue is access to dental treatment, which is crucial in a region where dental care is difficult to obtain. We are excited and humbled to be working with Dentaid and greatly appreciate the five additional clinics planned for 2025”.
“Bodmin Way are excited to be working alongside Dentaid and Bodmin Town Council to bring this mobile clinic to our town”, added Simon Atkinson, General Manager of Bodmin Way. “We are acutely aware that many of the most vulnerable people in our community are not able to access dental treatment and this is so important for their wellbeing, health and confidence”.
Gaynor Coley, Chair of Duchy Health Charity’s Grant Committee from the Duchy Health Charity said: “We are really pleased to be able to support the vital work of Dentaid in Cornwall. This project will bring much needed dental health care to those vulnerable and most in need. It is a great example of how collaborative partnerships can address urgent health needs within the Duchy”.
Dentaid the Dental Charity will be returning to Cornwall from August 5th – 7th and November 4th – 6th. Dentists or dental nurses who would like to volunteer at the clinics in St Austell or Bodmin can sign up by visiting our Volunteer in the UK section.
(Photo credit: Harbour Housing)