Dentaid The Dental Charity is to launch its latest mobile charity dental unit in Somerset later this month, allowing more people experiencing homelessness, harm, poverty and abuse to gain access to dental treatment.
The unit, the 12th in Dentaid’s fleet, has been supported by Swedish -founded oral hygiene equipment manufacturer TePe, whose UK base is in nearby Wells, and named Freja, for the Norse goddess associated with care and protection.
The launch will see Freja travel to Taunton on Friday 24th April to hold at a clinic supporting people experiencing homelessness at the Arc Inspire charity.
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 due to their complex living situations.
In 2025, Dentaid provided more than 30,000 dental treatments to 8,438 vulnerable people across the UK.
Arc is a charitable organisation which supports more than 350 people experiencing homelessness across Somerset ever year. The charity provides accommodation for those who are homeless, rough sleeping or sofa surfing and also supports service users through outreach teams and housing support workers to allow them to find permanent accommodation.
Andy Evans, CEO of Dentaid The Dental Charity, said: “We are all happy to see Freja up and running and delivering care in areas where her work is needed most.
“Freja will be based at our Totton headquarters and will provide care across the South West and South East, meaning more people who face insurmountable barriers to dental care can see a dentist.
“Every day, we witness how dental care can transform lives by alleviating pain and boosting confidence and the support of partners like TePe is crucial in allowing us to do this. We are immensely grateful for their support.”
Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and Dental Therapist at TePe, said: “Access to essential oral care services should never depend on someone’s circumstances, so supporting Dentaid and the launch of Freja is one way we can directly help those who need it most. At TePe, we see how preventative oral care volunteer-led mobile clinics are so impactful in not only providing treatment but also sharing knowledge that helps people care for their oral health long term. It’s inspiring to see the real difference these services make, whether it’s relieving pain or restoring confidence.”
Chris Czyrko, General Manager at TePe, said: “Supporting Dentaid and the launch of Freja is a natural extension of our ongoing commitment to preventative oral care solutions and education. As a business with strong roots in the South West, it’s especially meaningful to see this initiative making a difference in a local community like Taunton. By bringing dental care directly to those who may otherwise go without, we hope Freja will help to break down barriers and ensure more people can access the oral health routines they need.”
Dentaid’s work in Taunton is supported by Septodont UK, whose funding has allowed them to expand their work to the town and support this new initiative.
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.
