Dentaid The Dental Charity has announced the launch of its ninth mobile dental unit, which was made possible by a generous donation from The Health Lottery.

As the demand for Dentaid’s services continues to soar, the charity has expanded its fleet of mobile dental units with significant backing from the dental industry and its supporters. This year, Dentaid will host nearly 900 charity dental clinics across the UK, a remarkable increase from 422 clinics last year.

The state-of-the-art mobile dental surgery will be launched on June 18, 2024 in Weston-super-Mare. It provides crucial dental care to people affected by homelessness and substance abuse.

The Health Lottery, which has helped raise over £130m for various causes across Great Britain since its inception. It has funded the refurbishment, stocking, and preparation of the unit. Their contribution will also support monthly dental clinics in Weston-super-Mare throughout the summer of 2024.

Andy Evans, CEO of Dentaid, said, "The support from The Health Lottery came at a crucial time. We urgently needed this vehicle to begin delivering care. Our ninth unit will provide essential outreach for the most vulnerable people in our communities who often face insurmountable barriers to accessing dental treatment. Every day, we witness how dental care can transform lives by alleviating pain and boosting confidence. We're immensely grateful to The Health Lottery for their support in helping us deliver these vital services."

The unit will enable hundreds of volunteer dentists and dental nurses to provide a range of services, including oral cancer screenings, dental health advice, scale and polish, fillings, and extractions. This outreach will serve diverse groups, including people experiencing homelessness, survivors of abuse, cancer patients, fishing communities, families living below the poverty line, and those at risk due to addiction.

"We are delighted to support Dentaid's incredible work," said Carly Troullis, of The Health Lottery. “Our mission is to help improve the health and well-being of vulnerable people. This new dental unit exemplifies that commitment and the theme of our new Paying it Forward podcast.”

Author: