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19 November 2015
Volume 31 · Issue 6

Dentists in Dewsbury are volunteering their time to help vulnerable people in their local community who have no access to dentistry.

All the dentists taking part in the project are volunteering their time and will be carrying out extractions and pain relieving dentistry for people in need.

Homeless people, migrant and low wage workers, and vulnerable adults who are suffering pain because they have no access to dentistry will be able to see a dentist, possibly for the first time in many years.

The project is the result of a partnership between The Real Junk Food Project Dewsbury and Dentaid. The Real Junk Food Project takes unsold food from supermarkets and restaurants – that would usually be thrown away and wasted – and gives it to people in the local community who would otherwise go hungry on a pay as you feel basis. The charity has noticed that many of its clients are suffering dental pain but are unable to access NHS dental care for a variety of reasons.

Dentaid is a charity that sends teams of volunteer dental professionals and donated equipment to many of the world’s poorest countries. The charity is dedicated to eradicating dental pain whatever people’s circumstances might be. The Real Junk Tooth Project is its first UK initiative.

Paul Burr, from The Real Junk Food Project said, “Many of our clients either cannot get to any NHS dentist or are unable to register with one, therefore this service is vitally import to them. We see hungry people arriving at our cafés and sessions but they can’t enjoy the food because they are suffering awful toothache which affects their well-being and morale.”

Andy Evans, strategic director of Dentaid said, “Over the last 20 years we have worked in 70 countries but now we have identified a need in the UK amongst people who cannot access emergency NHS dentistry and are suffering pain. Therefore to find a partner like The Real Junk Food Project gives us a fantastic opportunity to help people in this country in addition to our work overseas.”

The first pilot project will take place in Dewsbury Dental Centre, Halifax Rd, Dewsbury on Thursday, December 3, from 6-8pm. Dentist Nick O Donovan will be volunteering his time and providing treatment on a ‘pay as you feel basis’.  Vulnerable people who have no other access to dentistry will be able to turn up and wait to be seen.  

The charities are hoping that more dentists and dental nurses will volunteer for the project as it expands.  The Five Year Future View produced by NHS England discusses the NHS having models which work with charities while addressing training requirements and the needs of the most vulnerable people in our society.

To donate to the Real Junk Tooth Project please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/dentaiddewsbury/256492

Dental professionals who would be interested in volunteering for future Real Junk Tooth Projects in Dewsbury or other parts of the UK are asked to email info@dentaid.org