UK Volunteering Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
How do I volunteer?
We are always looking for new volunteers! Our charity clinics operate across the whole of the UK helping people in need. Please complete this form to register your interest in volunteering.
You will then receive a follow-up email with an application form that will ask for a little more information and a link to see where our current volunteering opportunities are.
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
We are unable to take volunteers under the age of 18 or offer work experience placements on our charity dental clinics. If you are over 18 and have the right to volunteer in the UK, then we would love for you to volunteer with us either on the mobile dental unit or supporting our oral health programme depending on your level of experience.
I’m not clinically trained, can I still volunteer for Dentaid?
I’m not clinically trained, can I volunteer for Dentaid The Dental Charity?
If you are not clinically trained but would still like to volunteer, we are always looking for people to be part of our oral health education scheme BrightBites.
BrightBites is delivered across the UK and aims to teach school-aged children how to better look after their teeth.
I am a Dental Therapist/Hygienist, can I volunteer with Dentaid The Dental Charity?
Our clinics are focused on providing emergency care. We have one chair on our mobile dental units and are need dentists and dental nurses to support this. If you are a therapist/hygienist and are also trained as a dental nurse it would be great if you could us in this capacity.
How often do I need to volunteer?
There’s no minimum commitment to volunteering and if you can only spare one day that is absolutely fine. Every volunteer day is greatly appreciated.
Once you register to volunteer with us you won’t need to reapply and your DBS check will last for three years, although we may request updated indemnity for dentists.
If possible we ask volunteers to support our clinics 2-3 times a year but we understand this isn’t always possible with busy schedules, and many generously use their annual leave to take part in our work.
We do have some volunteers who are able to commit to helping out at a specific clinic each month. This consistency provides continuity for patients, and it gives our volunteers a chance to really get to know their patients and be a part of their journey.
Application information
As a dentist, how much experience do I need?
We generally require dentists to have 3-4 years’ experience before volunteering on the mobile dental unit. You would be the only dentist on-site and we would not want to put you in a position where you felt uncomfortable or did not yet have the skills required to deliver treatment. Many of our patients have complex medical needs and may not have seen a dentist for 10-15 years. You would be welcome to attend with your supervisor or a more experienced dentist from your practice and you would both need to complete the application process.
What is the volunteering application process?
- Start by completing our short registration form
- After submitting the registration form, we will email you an application form. This form is a little more in-depth and asks for details such as your GDC number, indemnity insurance information (if you are a dentist), CV, your emergency contact, and details of two references. If you have not already expressed an interest in a specific clinic we will send you a list of upcoming volunteering opportunities.
- The system will automatically contact your references via email. It will only take them about 2-3 minutes to answer a few questions.
- Once your clinic date/location has been agreed and your application form is completed we will send you the clinic details, such as address and location, Please note that all volunteering is conditional on a satisfactory DBS check and references.
- We will need to carry out a DBS check - if your DBS is transferable and you subscribe to the DBS update service we will carry out the check via the .gov website. If you don’t have a transferable DBS and do not pay an annual subscription to the DBS update service we will arrange a DBS check for you. There is no charge for this service, You’ll need to provide/email three documents (e.g., passport, driving license, and utility bill) and complete a short form on the UCheck DBS Platform, but we will email you separately and send you all the information and links you will need.
- A member of the Dentaid team will give you a call to discuss the volunteering process, explain how clinics run, and review available opportunities. Bring any questions you may have!
- Now that we have everything we need, the final step is to email you our policies and procedures to read and sign before attending one of our clinics.
- The week before you are scheduled to volunteer at a clinic, we will email you again the clinic details this will include the mobile number for the Dentaid contact on-site, where to park, and a copy of the Standard Operating Procedure relevant for that particular patient base.
Will I need to provide references?
Just like applying for a job we do ask all volunteer dentists and dental nurses to provide two references. One of these must be a clinical refence. All references are sent a short online questionnaire via email that should only take 2-3 minutes to complete.
Do I need a DBS to volunteer?
Our roles do require a disclosure check (DBS). We have a team internally who manage this online process, will send you a link to our online DBS platform and request a total of 3 forms of ID so that we can carry out the initial identification checks before passing to over for the necessary police checks.
There is no charge for this service. If your DBS is transferable and you subscribe to the DBS update service we will carry out the check via the .gov website.
A DBS can take between 2 hours and 2 months to complete, mostly taking just over a week but we would be keen to start the process of running your DBS as soon as your clinic date has been confirmed.
Onboard the Mobile Dental Unit
Who will I be treating?
We aim to provide outreach dental clinics for the most vulnerable people in our communities. Our clinics provide dental care and oral health advice for people experiencing homelessness, survivors of abuse, vulnerable women, cancer patients, fishing communities, families experiencing poverty, and those at risk of health inequalities. The specific type of clinic is listed on our volunteering opportunities page alongside the date and location.
Where do the patients come from and how many we will see?
We work very closely with the venue to ensure maximum engagement with patients. We support the venue in creating a patient list and aim to treat 2 people each hour with urgent care always being the priority. On average, we see 8 people in a 4-hour clinic.
What happens on a typical clinic?
Typically, clinic days start at 9.30 with an induction and the clinic will then run 10am - 2pm. On average we see 8 patients in that time.
When a patient comes aboard the unit, they are offered free dental screening and treatment including oral cancer checks, scale and polish, fluoride varnish, x-rays, fillings and extractions as well as toothbrushing and dietary advice. The dental units visit the locations on a regular basis to ensure that ongoing treatment is delivered if required. In most cases our patients need several appointments to become dentally fit.
What treatments will I be expected to provide?
Patients are offered a free dental screening and treatment including oral cancer checks, scale and polish, fluoride varnish, x-rays, fillings and extractions as well as toothbrushing and dietary advice.
What equipment is on the mobile unit?
The mobile unit is fully equipped to function like a dental surgery in practice, allowing us to provide comprehensive dental care. This includes:
- Dentally Software: Our laptops are equipped with Dentally for managing patient records and appointments.
- X-ray Capabilities: The unit includes an X-ray machine and digital processor.
- Dental Tools: Amalgamator, curing light, Cavitron, and all necessary instruments and materials to perform treatments, including extractions, GIC fillings, and composite fillings.
- Decontamination Area: The unit is equipped with an autoclave for sterilising instruments. Volunteer nurses are not required to participate in the decontamination process, as this is managed by our team.
Are there any treatments that can’t be carried out on the mobile unit?
Yes, there are certain procedures we do not perform. These include amalgam fillings, root canal treatments (RCT), crowns, and dentures.
Who else will be with me on the day?
As well as a volunteer dentist and dental nurse, each clinic is supported by two members of the Dentaid Team - a clinical supervisor (who supports you, the patients and oversees the clinic area) and a mobile dental unit officer (who is responsible for the vehicle).
Are the clinics safe?
Any volunteering with us will be carried out in a safe environment. All our staff have been suitable trained, and we have policies in place to keep everyone safe.
The safety and well-being of our volunteers is our top priority. If you do have any questions the UK clinic team will be able to answer these in your volunteering onboarding phone call.
Which IT package do you use on the mobile unit?
We use Dentally for note talking and charting.
Please don’t worry if this programme is new to you, training can be provided during your induction and there will always be a Dentaid member of staff on-hand to answer any questions.
There are templates set up so that note taking can be as efficient as possible. Please keep in mind that other dentists may need to read your notes next time the patient visits the clinic.
On the day logistics
What shall I wear to a clinic?
Please bring your own scrubs with you and the venue will provide you with somewhere to change. Medical history takers do not need to wear scrubs.
All our surgeries are on the back of lorries and although they have heating on chilly mornings it can take a while for things to warm up. When it’s cold we suggest you wear layers under your scrubs!
All necessary PPE will be provided however we are desperately short of gloves. If possible, we would greatly appreciate it if you could bring a box of gloves in your size and donate them to us.
Will there be parking on-site?
You can park on-site at most of the venues, or we will advise where local parking is available.
This information will be included in the clinic details, which will be sent to your email a week before your scheduled clinic.
Shall I bring refreshments?
The venue will provide you with hot drinks and our vehicles carry bottles of drinking water but please bring along your own lunch and snacks.
Due to allergies no foods containing nuts should be bought onboard the mobile dental units.