Vulnerable people in Portsmouth receive oral health support through new clinics
Vulnerable people in Portsmouth have been given the chance to access dental care on board one of Dentaid The Dental Charity’s mobile units.
Our vehicle Kim visited the All Saints Church in Commercial Road on August 3rd and 10th, caring for patients supported by Portsmouth City of Sanctuary who are experiencing issues with their oral health.
Volunteer dentists and dental nurses provided patients, including refugees and asylum seekers, with treatments and support as part of the clinics. They have been funded by the dental and medical equipment supplier Henry Schein through their Henry Schein Cares programme, which provides funding for initiatives that help to promote good oral health and lead to better health outcomes in the UK and around the world.
Dentaid works with other charities and community organisations which provide support and services to people experiencing health inequalities, including those facing homelessness, harm, poverty and abuse.
Their dental surgery on wheels is one of 12 that travel the UK, providing care in settings such as hostels, community centres, refuges and at food banks, providing support to vulnerable people in settings where they feel comfortable, valued and able to talk freely about their issues.
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary (PCoS) is a non-profit CIO charity dedicated to supporting displaced people, who are refugees or asylum seekers, sent to live in Portsmouth, Gosport and the surrounding areas, by the UK Home Office. Staff and volunteer teams work to provide practical support for people seeking asylum or refuge, including signposting, advocacy, or simply a listening ear.
Jill Harding, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Dentaid The Dental Charity, said:
“Our services in Portsmouth already reach groups ranging from vulnerable women to families facing poverty who struggle to access traditional dentistry settings, so having the chance to expand our work even further in the city is greatly appreciated.
“Access to dentistry can be incredibly difficult for those who are working to rebuild their lives in a new location and we want to work closely with partners who help those who need extra support, including children.
“We would like to thank City of Sanctuary and Henry Schein for helping us to set up this important project and look forward to seeing it grow and develop into the future.”
Chris Drake, Sales Support and Installation Manager at Henry Schein said: “Giving back to the community is something I am very passionate about, as are all of us at Henry Schein. I have been working in partnership with Dentaid for the past few years, funding the outreach project which provides emergency dentistry to the refugee and asylum seeker community.
“Dentaid is an amazing charity and the work they do really is life changing for the patients seen, some of which have been in dental pain for years.”