A solar-powered mobile dental unit has been launched by Dentaid The Dental Charity. Adding this versatile vehicle to its fleet will enable the charity to reach more new locations.

The Bupa Foundation funded the lower-emission dental surgery on wheels and will be used to provide care for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, harm and abuse.

The mobile surgery is the 10th in Dentaid’s fleet and is its most cost-effective, versatile and environmentally friendly dental unit. Dental professionals onboard will perform extractions, fillings, scale and polish, x-rays and oral cancer screening, in addition to giving dental health advice.

The vehicle has been specially built to provide Dentaid with a smaller, lighter mobile unit with less environmental impact. The dental equipment is powered by solar panels on the roof, backed-up by batteries that charge as the vehicle is driven.

The charity will be able to deliver care in rural communities, central London and other city centres while generating a lower carbon footprint. The vehicle will enable the charity to reach new locations as demand for its dental clinics continues to rise.

Anna Russell, Bupa Foundation director for Bupa Global, India and UK, said, “We have supported Dentaid The Dental Charity and its wonderful work for many years, providing essential dental care to some of the most vulnerable individuals who may otherwise struggle to access it. That’s why we’re delighted to fund the charity’s first-of-its-kind low emission dental vehicle, to reach even more communities in a sustainable way and support our purpose of helping people live longer, healthier lives and making a better world.”

Bupa Foundation also funded Dentaid's return to Northern Ireland and central London. Clinics in Northern Ireland commenced on the week of November 11, 2024, when the dental unit visited Simon Community services in Lisburn, Armagh, Coleraine and Belfast. Volunteers provided care for people who were rough sleeping or vulnerably housed.

Kirsten Hewitt, director of homelessness services for Simon Community, said, "Our partnership with Dentaid is incredibly valuable, as it enables us to provide vital oral care and treatment for clients across our services in Northern Ireland. Oral health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing, yet it’s often inaccessible for those experiencing homelessness.

“Through working with Dentaid, we are bridging this gap and offering critical care that not only improves physical health but also restores confidence and dignity. The ability to smile without pain or discomfort can be life-changing, and we are immensely grateful for Dentaid’s commitment to providing these vital services.”

In London, the vehicle will be used to deliver life-changing dental treatment for people supported by the Single Homeless Project in January and March 2025.

Andy Evans, CEO of Dentaid The Dental Charity, said, “Although our existing charity dental units continue to work incredibly hard for us and we use them to carry out lots of incredible work, like all organisations, we are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

“We feel incredibly fortunate that the Bupa Foundation has chosen to support our future in this way.With more than 1100 clinics to deliver in 2024 – and the prospect of even more in 2025 – securing new vehicles has been critically important. Thanks to Bupa Foundation we’ll have this innovative solution to delivering mobile dentistry in city centres, Northern Ireland and countryside locations allowing us to increase our capacity to help the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

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