Vulnerable women

Dentaid works with refuges and projects across the UK to help vulnerable women gain access to dental care. This includes survivors of domestic abuse, females facing exploitation or modern slavery and women in the sex industry.

Sadly, many have suffered damage to their teeth or dental trauma as the result of being abused or coercively controlled, or due to neglect stemming from abuse. Those affected may find the thought of someone touching their face to be extremely traumatic. Broken smiles can serve as a visual reminder of the violence that victims have faced.

The vulnerable women we help often go years without seeing a dentist because they struggle to access services or have chaotic lifestyles. Those with lived experience of domestic abuse may face challenges in protecting their new lives from their abusers which can limit their ability to travel or attend services. They may also have struggled to access appointments for their children if their abuser refuses to give their consent.

Those involved in sex work may be reluctant to access services for fear of being stigmatised.

Our patients also include those who’ve been rescued from exploitation and forced labour or found themselves victims of violence and abuse.

Our main objective is to ensure that patients feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings. We look to build up our patients’ trust by offering them a regular service in a secure environment, where their support workers and trusted peers are nearby. When requested we can send all female teams comprising a dentist, dental nurse, clinical supervisor and mobile dental unit officer.

Our unique approach to delivering clinics makes dentistry as accessible as possible for these highly vulnerable patients. As a result, many of the most vulnerable women in our communities are able to access dental care and support with their oral health, relieving pain and increasing self-confidence.