Dentaid The Dental Charity has launched its 2024 Christmas appeal, calling for support to help change lives through dental care. The charity is raising funds to ensure that rough sleepers, survivors of abuse and families living in poverty can access dental treatment throughout the winter months.

The appeal has received an initial £1000 donation from Working Feedback, the patient feedback system used by dental practices.

Dentaid’s mobile dental units travel the UK providing outreach dentistry for people who face practical, emotional, physical and financial barriers to accessing dental care. Many patients have not seen a dentist for years or have experienced long-term pain or damage to their mouths. The charity provides dental treatments, whilst being mindful of a patient’s mental health, trauma, addiction and past experiences with the healthcare system.

The charity said that this time of year can be especially tough for people suffering from dental pain who have nowhere to turn. For those experiencing homelessness and vulnerable people who are already facing health inequalities, being unable to access dental treatment can have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing and general health.

Dentaid has asked for donations to change lives through dental care. The charity has said with support, it can continue to make a tangible difference to the lives of homeless and vulnerable people this winter.

Mark, who has experienced homelessness and is a service user of The Lantern Trust in Weymouth, said, “I want to go back to work, but I’m scared about going to a job interview because my teeth are so bad. I don’t have the confidence to smile anymore. I’m hoping that Dentaid can help me get my smile back.”

For more information visit https://www.dentaid.org/

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