Gail – volunteer dentist
I first got involved with Dentaid after doing quite a lot of volunteering during COVID – mainly packing food and helping wherever I could. At some point I thought to myself, maybe I could be a bit more useful by using my actual skills, rather than just packing boxes! Coming out the other side of the pandemic I started looking for a way to help that made better use of my dentistry skills and that’s when I found Dentaid and began my journey as a volunteer dentist.
The volunteering experience is amazing. It can be a little daunting at first, especially going on a clinic not really knowing what you’re going to be up against. But what makes it all worth it is how appreciative everyone is. Honestly, people are so much more grateful than they are at my usual clinic. Everyone I’ve met – patients and team members alike – have been absolutely lovely.
What I enjoy most about volunteering is simply the feeling that you’re doing something good. That feeling like you’re giving something back, helping people and being useful. Anyone in theory can pack a box, but not everyone can do what we do as dental professionals – and it feels good to use that to make a difference.
I’ve been volunteering with Dentaid for quite a while now but when I first went on clinic I remember being slightly terrified because I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, but I quickly realised how well-supported I was. Ria the clinical supervisor who I’ve worked with a few times in Kent is just fantastic – she makes you feel like you’re really being looked after. Leah, who works alongside her, is just the same. Whenever I see a clinic in Southend-on-Sea and know they’re running it I jump at the chance to go.
To anyone thinking about volunteering, I’d just say just do it. Everyone is so grateful and you come away knowing you’ve done something worthwhile. It’s a win-win situation – the community benefits, and you benefit too just by knowing you’ve made a difference. Some of the stories you hear from patients are truly heartbreaking, so you do come away feeling incredibly grateful for your own life.