Dentaid’s newest mobile dental unit -supported by TePe – has delivered its 50th clinic supporting vulnerable people in need of dental care across the UK.
The unit, nicknamed Freja reached its half-century when it visited Dudley on Tuesday 15th September as part of a charity link-up with Changing Lives, which supports people experiencing homelessness.
Volunteer dental professionals provided a range of treatments for Changing Lives service users, including free dental check-ups and oral cancer checks, extractions, fillings and fluoride varnishes.
Freja, the 12th unit in Dentaid’s fleet, was officially launched in April in Taunton, close to TePe’s UK headquarters in Wells, caring for rough sleepers receiving health through the charity Arc Inspire.
Since then, Freja has visited venues across the South West, South East, West Midlands and South Wales, providing more than 1,250 dental treatments to over 310 vulnerable patients.
Among Freja’s first 50 clinics were 11 visits to locations in Somerset, providing care alongside charities supporting people experiencing health inequalities in Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Yeovil.
One patient who visited Freja in Yeovil, said: “The care I received was excellent. I was a little anxious before going on board but the team were really good at calming me down and the experience of being on the unit was a nice one.
“I would love to see Dentaid again, it feels good to be free from pain. This is a must go-to if you’re struggling, I didn’t expect to be seen so to get that care is a real blessing.”
Freja has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, being lighter and emitting lower emissions than all other vehicles currently in Dentaid’s fleet. All the equipment on board is powered by solar panels on the roof, rather than by a generator, whose batteries are charged while the vehicle is in motion.
Dentaid’s fleet of mobile dental surgeries on wheels travels around the UK to hostels, women’s refuges, community centres and other settings where vulnerable people access care and support. Volunteer dentists and dental nurses provide treatments such as fillings and extractions and give oral health advice to those who may struggle to access traditional dental care settings because of their complex living situations.
Jill Harding, Head of Marketing and Communications at Dentaid The Dental Charity said: “Dental care can play an important role in helping someone move on to a new chapter in their lives, especially for those who have struggled for years to access it and feel that they have nowhere left to turn to.
“All of us at Dentaid are very grateful that TePe has recognised this with their support for us and seeing the positive impact that Freja has had on so many people in such a short space of time is fantastic.
“We are looking forward to bringing Freja directly into more communities across the UK to make sure those most in need can get the help they need.”
Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and Dental Therapist at TePe, said: “Reaching 50 clinics is an important milestone and shows the difference Freja is already making for people who may otherwise struggle to access dental care.
“Since launching earlier this year, the unit has helped bring treatment, advice and preventative oral care directly into communities, supporting hundreds of people and delivering more than 1,250 treatments.
“Seeing Freja help relieve pain, restore confidence and give people the knowledge to look after their oral health longer term shows the real value of bringing care directly into communities. We’re incredibly proud to support Dentaid and to see the impact the partnership is already having.”
Dental professionals who would like to volunteer on one of Dentaid’s mobile dental clinics can find out more and apply by visiting www.dentaid.org/volunteer.
