Dentaid

Agilio Software Partners with Dentaid The Dental Charity

Agilio Software is providing free dental software to the national charity 

UK’s leading provider of healthcare operations software, Agilio Software has announced it is partnering with the national charity, Dentaid The Dental Charity, supporting their staff across the UK with free access to Agilio’s leading digital solutions iComply, iLearn and iTeam.

Established in 1996, Dentaid The Dental Charity supports under-served communities across the UK and overseas by offering them free access to dental care. Through its volunteers, the charity travels up and down the country using its fleet of mobile units to provide free, pain-relieving dental treatments, preventive and restorative care, and oral health advice to vulnerable groups such as people experiencing homelessness, cancer patients, abuse survivors, and asylum seekers.

The collaboration between the charity and the dental technology provider began in Spring 2022, with Agilio initially donating free subscriptions to their market-leading compliance platform, iComply, and HR and people management solution, iTeam.

Seeing the impact their partnership has on disadvantaged communities, Agilio subsequently agreed to provide further support and expand the partnership by granting access to their Enhanced CPD platform, iLearn, this year.

Managing Director of Agilio Software’s Dental division, Andy Sloan, said: “At Agilio, we are all incredibly passionate about serving our communities and making an impact beyond our commercial success.

Having access to dental care should be something that everyone has; unfortunately, that is no longer the case, which is what makes the work of Dentaid The Dental Charity so important. Through our time-saving technology and services, we can free up their team’s time so they can focus on helping a greater number of patients and our iLearn solution is ensuring they meet their professional development needs.”

CEO of Dentaid The Dental Charity, Andy Evans, said: “We are delighted to be further strengthening our partnership with Agilio. I’d like to thank them for their commitment to opening up their innovative solutions to our team and supporting us in managing our compliance, HR and CPD.

Our priority has always been providing dental treatments and advice to those who need it most, so this partnership with Agilio will relieve some of the pressures on our teams and enable our dental care professionals to reach even more under-served communities across the UK and around the world.”

For more information about Dentaid The Dental Charity, visit: https://www.dentaid.org/

Miles for Smiles – Join Dentsply Sirona for this annual charity event

Did you know around 274,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness across the UK?

Join Dentsply Sirona UK & Ireland in our mission to support oral health within the homeless community by walking 27,400 steps and raising funds for the dental charity Dentaid.

On Friday 30th June 2023, we will be walking simultaneously in 2 locations with panoramic views: Old Windsor to Weybridge in Surrey and Haworth in West Yorkshire!

We are delighted to be organising this event for our colleagues, friends, family members, business partners and the wider dental community to help give a smile back to those in need. Miles for Smiles is a brilliant opportunity for team building and having lots of fun.

Who are Dentaid?

In the UK, Dentaid provides free dental care for homeless and vulnerable people. Dentaid’s mobile dental units visit hostels, day centres and night shelters providing emergency treatment for people who find it difficult to access dental care. Dentaid also provide dental care in areas where people are struggling to find a dentist and run clinics for refugees and asylum seekers, head and neck cancer patients, veterans, children in areas of social deprivation and victims of domestic violence. 

If you are interested in joining Miles for Smiles to raise money for this fantastic cause, click the button below to register:

REGISTER FOR MILES FOR SMILES – Miles for Smiles 2023 supporting Dentaid Registration, Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE SAID ABOUT MILES FOR SMILES 2022…

“We had a great time on the Miles for Smiles walk, ideal team bonding all while raising money for a good cause and getting us all moving, doing some sightseeing with great company. The team really had a great day and made some fun memories!” 

“Taking part in Miles for Smiles 2022 was truly one of the highlights of my year! A fantastic way to connect with colleagues and customers you wouldn’t usually get to speak to, all whilst supporting a wonderful dental charity!”

“The Miles for Smiles walk was a great opportunity to raise money for a good cause. In addition to that, it was also a great opportunity for team building and meeting new people!”

‘Action not words’

Jill Harding talks to Dental Sky about the UK’s oral health crisis

A healthy smile is fast becoming an indicator of our socioeconomic status. With a wealth of studies to evidence the correlation between oral health and income, occupation and social background, the current shortage of NHS appointments has further deepened health inequalities in the UK.

Issues of access are widespread. Amid the crisis, patients who can afford private dental care have migrated away from the long NHS waiting lists, whilst those who cannot are missing out on regular check-ups, risking their health and quality of life.

With NHS dentists beset by what was considered by many an unworkable contract, the pandemic exacerbated the problems of access. Appointment delays created a backlog and the steep rise in living costs are now adding to the problem.

NHS Digital reveals that the number of adults seen by NHS dentists within recommended timeframes decreased by 9.5% in 2021-22 against the previous year. [1]

Two years ago, a report by Public Health England outlined the influences on public dental health, stating that ‘there is clear and consistent evidence for social gradients in the prevalence of dental conditions, the impact of poor oral health and service use’ [2].

It recognised that oral health inequalities ‘remain a significant public health problem’ and that reducing them ‘is a matter of social justice, an ethical imperative and, for public bodies across the health sector, a legal duty’.

This year, National Smile Month (16 May-16 June 2023) is shining a light on the importance of toothbrushing. Every year the campaign champions the benefits of having good oral health and promotes the value of a healthy smile.

The 2023 campaign is ‘Brush for better health’ – clarification of the systemic links between oral health and overall well-being vital to public health messaging. But with the pandemic’s impact still reverberating and the financial crisis forcing people to carefully consider their outgoings, the nation’s oral health is paying a heavy price.

There are health implications for people in vulnerable groups or those with lower socioeconomic status and failure to access dental care is among the challenges. These populations often have considerably poorer oral health across all assessed outcomes. For some, this may even involve limited access to toothbrushes and toothpaste or limited places to clean their teeth.

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index recently revealed that more than half (54%) of its 6,000 respondents believed there is a postcode lottery accessing dental services. With 68% agreeing there is a crisis in the provision of dentistry, three-quarters (77%) felt the government could do more to promote oral health. [3]

With fewer NHS appointments available and many areas with long waiting lists to register, it can impact the quality of life for those people for whom private dental care is unaffordable. Sometimes, they take matters into their own hands with media stories of DIY dentistry highlighting deeper problems.

Dentaid The Dental Charity has been operating mobile dental units across the UK for many years. The charity’s volunteers visit homeless shelters, soup kitchens and community buildings to provide free dental screening, advice and treatment for underserved-communities who are unable to access NHS dental care.

The charity’s efforts to break down barriers and help people who most need dental care access essential dental treatment are a vital lifeline for many. But it has cast its net beyond the people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable groups of late to include public-access clinics. This focus had to change when the pandemic limited opportunities to help populations overseas. But their work has highlighted needs here in the UK, and demand has skyrocketed in the last 2 years.

Jill Harding is the communications director at Dentaid The Dental Charity.

Back in 2008, Dentaid The Dental Charity was refurbishing and delivering dental equipment to countries in need. It then developed its work to care for those in pain by funding outreach clinics and sending teams of volunteers to support local dental professionals.  Now, although its overseas work continues, it is very much focused on helping the UK population.

Jill says: ‘The pandemic was not solely the catalyst for the charity’s work on home soil. It had already started working in the UK when, in 2015, it responded to a cry for help from people in Kirklees in West Yorkshire who were using a soup kitchen but unable to eat the food due to toothache.

‘It was a slow evolution for the first couple of years but, since lockdown, demand skyrocketed partly due to the backlog created by the pandemic. This also led to heightened awareness about the groups of people who have always faced challenges in accessing dentistry.’

Earlier in the year, the charity updated its branding, too, to better reflect its work.

‘The old logo had an image of the globe within it, but times and our charity have moved on’, Jill says.

The new Dentaid logo

So, whilst it was always the charity’s intention to develop its UK work, the growth in demand has been ‘almost exponential,’ Jill says. ‘Dentaid The Dental Charity has always been fleet of foot. When opportunities to help more people present themselves, we make the most of them. There is now a vast geographical spread, and we are looking to work in new areas all the time. The team has expanded rapidly – we now have 28 members of staff and are currently planning to expand our regional hubs, too. We already have one operating near Halifax and are about to open one in Kent and base a mobile dental unit in Northern Ireland. We are mindful of environmental impact, so this helps reduce the need to travel.’

The charity will run at least 500 clinics in the UK this year. After its unveiling at the BDIA a new unit will be based at Maidstone, Kent run by a clinical supervisor and mobile unit officer from a hub that will serve the southeast.

Disengagement with traditional services can include logistical challenges, too. Often, vulnerable groups haven’t the contact details necessary for registration, or they may not have anywhere to store their belongings while they are treated. 

‘Our outreach work in mobile dental units takes our services to places where vulnerable groups feel safe and comfortable – hostels, day centres and night shelters. We are breaking down the practical, emotional and mental barriers to them accessing dental care.’

But sustainability is key here. As Jill says: ‘Our work needs to be sustainable, which is why we offer oral health education alongside all of our clinics that return to locations regularly. We must start conversations with patients about their teeth to ensure long-term health. Many of the people we treat haven’t attended for so long that they are disconnected from dentistry, which is why we return regularly. During sessions at our mobile units, volunteer clinicians offer oral health advice and hand out toothbrushes and toothpaste. Volunteers on our BrightBites programme, an oral health education scheme that visits schools, also hand out these resources.’

The government’s failure to address political and public health failures is difficult to ignore. Considering the litany of challenges dentistry faces, it must impact the team hugely. But Jill is keen to stress the importance of action rather than words.

‘As a charity, it isn’t for us to say why these services are not available to everyone or comment on funding in dentistry. What we do focus on, however, is being out there and doing something – running our clinics for the communities that need us most. We now have seven mobile units and one trailer servicing the UK. We have a fundraising events programme and encourage practices to hold events. We are always looking for volunteers and welcome input from across the profession.

She adds: ‘Dentaid The Dental Charity has always stepped in where there is a gap in care. Our services are delivered by much-valued volunteers who have often identified a need within their communities. Quite simply, we are committed to helping those who are the hardest to reach – wherever they might be.’

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

References

  1. https://digital.nhs.uk/news/2022/9.5-decrease-in-adults-seen-by-dentists-in-past-two-years
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inequalities-in-oral-health-in-england/inequalities-in-oral-health-in-england-summary
  3. https://smile-ohm.co.uk/2023/03/14/more-than-a-third-of-11-16-year-olds-would-resort-to-diy-dentistry-measures/

 

 

Dentaid launches urgent appeal to repair charity dental units

Dental charity Dentaid has launched an urgent appeal to repair two of its mobile dental units and buy a new vehicle so homeless and vulnerable people can access dental care.

Last week, two of the charity’s vehicles – that are both 20 years old – broke down. Dentaid is doing everything it can to keep its clinics running but has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the cost of urgent repairs and fund a new unit for the future.

“Our mobile dental units work extremely hard for us and have been used for nearly 250 clinics this year helping the most vulnerable people in our society to access life-changing dental treatment,” said Dentaid CEO, Andy Evans. “But as with all vehicles, things go wrong and repairs are extremely costly. Last week was very challenging with our two oldest vehicles failing and needing recovery.  We need to get them back on the road as soon as possible because the need for our work is greater than ever.  However, we can’t escape the fact that these are ageing vehicles and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to source parts for them. Eventually, they will need to be replaced so that we can reach the people who need us most.”

Next year, Dentaid will have its first new purpose built mobile dental unit joining its fleet thanks to a series of fundraising events, including the Kilimanjaro climb by FMC founder Ken Finlayson and the Straumann Charity Bike Ride. Its schedule of clinics is already full and Dentaid will need more vehicles to meet rising demand.

“We know how much people are suffering due to untreated toothache, particularly in underserved and hard to reach communities,” added Andy. “Thanks to our volunteers, Dentaid is uniquely positioned to help by taking outreach dental care to them.  But we need vehicles to achieve this. We are fundraising to help us get our two existing lorries back out where they are desperately needed, but also looking to the future so we can build our fleet of purpose-built vehicles because we know that accessing dental care can improve our patients’ confidence and life chances.”  

Dentaid has set up a fundraising page where supporters can donate https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DentaidNewMDU?invite=true

To find out more about Dentaid visit www.dentaid.org

Macmillan Cancer Support continues vital free dental care for cancer patients in Southampton

Macmillan Cancer Support has renewed its partnership with dental charity Dentaid to help fund a mobile unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). 

Dentaid’s mobile unit attends the hospital twice a month with its group of volunteer dentists and dental nurses to offer treatment to head and neck cancer patients. Since the partnership started in July 2021 the unit has treated over a hundred head and neck cancer patients at UHS who are either about to commence or are undergoing treatment. The service also supports patients who have finished their cancer treatment -maybe a few years ago – but are now suffering ongoing damage to their teeth.

Over 300 different treatments have taken place including: extractions of painful teeth, fillings, oral health instruction, dentures to replace teeth lost during cancer treatment and preventative and protective treatments including flourish varnish.

One of the partnership’s patient’s this year was Pam Myatt aged 81. In 2016 she was diagnosed with throat cancer which spread to her tonsils.  Her left tonsil was removed, and she started radiotherapy and chemotherapy in 2017. Although she has now finished her cancer treatment, it has caused lasting damage to her teeth which are now at much greater risk of decay and damage. Pam told us: “What I didn’t know before, is that after radiotherapy the teeth are very susceptible to damage and decay, although the effect might not be seen for several years. I started to get problems with my teeth but there aren’t any NHS dentists taking new patients. One of my teeth has caused me pain but mostly it’s the loss of confidence. I noticed my teeth started to erode and decay and turned opaque white. It was devastating. You have a feeling of isolation and not knowing where to turn. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to find Dentaid’s unit at UHS and it is such a nice team. I’ve had full x-rays and several fillings. Just today, I’ve had three fillings which would have cost me about £450 otherwise.  I was feeling pretty desperate before I heard about Dentaid’s partnership with Macmillan and UHS but I’m incredibly pleased and grateful to be here receiving treatment.”

Andy Evans Dentaid’s CEO said, about the extension of the funding, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and University Hospital Southampton.  Over the last year Dentaid volunteers have been able to help patients who’ve needed urgent dental care prior to starting cancer treatment, those who’ve developed dental problems while they’ve been undergoing treatment or afterwards as radiotherapy can have long lasting effects on the mouth.  This is an innovative project that involves taking our mobile dental service to the hospital and helping those struggling to access dental care who urgently need treatment to restore their confidence and improve their quality of life.”

Dentaid volunteer dentists and dental nurses provide full x-rays and screenings, fillings, dentures, extractions if necessary, dental and oral health advice, scale and polish and other treatments. All clinics take place on the mobile dental unit which parks at the hospital.

Tracy Street, Macmillan Engagement lead said: “ We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dentaid and UHS to provide essential dental care for head and neck cancer patients. There has proved a real need for this service with a gap in provision and thanks to Dentaid’s volunteers and our amazing Macmillan supporters we can continue to fund and offer patients the dental care they need before, during and after their cancer treatment.”

Dentaid Community launches

Award winning dental charity Dentaid has launched the Dentaid Community to bring together fundraisers, volunteers and supporters.

Dentaid Community members will be able to share their experiences of volunteering in the UK or overseas, organise fundraising events and promote Dentaid’s work in their own areas of the country.

The campaign will use social media to link community members so they can keep in touch with each other and hear the charity’s latest news. They will also be first to learn about overseas volunteering trips, have regular updates on new volunteering opportunities in the UK and be able to win certificates and trophies to be displayed in their practice as a mark of their support.

Since the pandemic, Dentaid has undergone a period of rapid expansion as demand for its services has skyrocketed.  The charity now has 22 staff, projects around the world and by the of the year will have a fleet of 6 mobile dental units providing outreach dental care for homeless and vulnerable patients across the UK.

This is all thanks to dental professionals who give up their time to volunteer for Dentaid either in the UK or overseas, those who organise fundraising events and people who support the charity.

“We are so fortunate that as Dentaid has grown we have been able to attract an incredible new group of people who are committed to supporting our work and helping the most vulnerable people to access safe, sustainable dental care,” said Dentaid’s fundraising manager Pete Burch. “These supporters are based across the country and are involved with Dentaid in many ways.  Each has their own expertise, knowledge and experience of being part of our charity and we wanted to give them the chance to swap ideas, encourage each other and inspire others to help Dentaid grow.  Our patients face so many barriers to accessing dental care whether that’s because they are experiencing homelessness or live in a remote community overseas.  We’re getting more requests for our mobile dental clinics, BrightBites oral health programme and overseas projects than ever before and we are only going to get busier.  The Dentaid Community is a way of bringing together all the people who are playing a part in our success so we can celebrate their involvement as they help us grow and change more lives through dental care.”

Dentaid recently won the Healthcare and Medical Research category at the prestigious Charity Awards for its work providing mobile dental services for people experiencing homelessness.

The charity also runs dental clinics for refugees and asylum seekers, fishing communities, head and neck cancer patients, ex-service personnel, victims of domestic violence and children in areas of high social depravation.  Its BrightBites oral health programme is delivered in the UK and overseas and Dentaid supports dentists around the world by supplying equipment and volunteers to help them reach more patients.

Anyone who wants to be part of the Dentaid Community can sign up for free by visiting https://www.dentaid.org/dentaid-community/

They will then be invited to join the Dentaid Community Facebook page.

Dentsply Sirona goes Miles for Smiles with new charity walk in support of Dentaid

Dentsply Sirona is excited to announce the inaugural Miles for Smiles Charity Walk in support of Dentaid, taking place on Friday 30th September, 2022 in five iconic UK cities; London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.

There are an estimated 227,000 homeless people in the UK at present and access to healthcare, including dental care is one of the many huge challenges they face. Dentaid offers free-of-charge, emergency dental care through mobile clinics for homeless people across the UK who are suffering acute dental pain.

As a diverse and inclusive organisation, Dentsply Sirona has harnessed the drive and enthusiasm of their Employee Resource Groups – DS Women, DS Pride, DS Veterans & DS Bold – to organise this brand-new fundraising event.

They warmly invite all their customers, colleagues, family members and the wider dental community to join them in their mission to support Dentaid – to bring essential aid to the homeless community and to help restore their smiles.

Each of the walks will cover 22.7 km (or approximately 14 miles), following recognised half-marathon routes in each city. For a joining fee of £27, walkers will secure a place on the route of their choice and every single penny will go to Dentaid directly.

Entries are welcomed from individuals as well as group entries including sponsorship opportunities for dental companies who wish to support this important cause.

To get involved or find out more, click here.

Dentaid wins at the Charity Awards 2022

Dentaid has taken the top prize in the Healthcare & Medical Research category at this year’s Charity Awards.

The charity won the prestigious award for its work providing outreach dental care for people experiencing homelessness.  Dentaid’s four mobile dental units travel the UK with volunteers offering dental checks and treatment for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. 

In addition to helping people experiencing homelessness, Dentaid provides outreach dental services for head and neck cancer patients, fishing communities, refugees, retired service personnel and victims of domestic violence.

Since the pandemic, demand for Dentaid’s services has skyrocketed and this year the charity will run around 400 UK clinics. The charity also plans to grow its fleet of vehicles and establish regional hubs in order to reduce travelling time and fuel costs.

Dentaid was presented with the trophy at a black-tie ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday (16 June) hosted by broadcaster, commentator and writer Ayesha Hazarika.

The Charity Awards shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of expert judges, themselves all eminent figures in the charity sector. The judges scored each entry against six Hallmarks of Excellence and praised Dentaid for its “aspirational work that was making a huge difference.”

“It is such an honour to win this award,” said Dentaid CEO, Andy Evans.  “It’s testament to the hard work and generosity of our amazing volunteers, supporters and everyone who’s been part of our journey over the last 26 years.   The need for our work is greater than ever, with more people experiencing homelessness struggling to access dental care.  By helping them out of dental pain and increasing their confidence we can help them to move on to a new chapter in their lives.  “Winning this award is recognition of what we have achieved so far but it will also help us to grow and develop so we can help more people in the future.”

Matt Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated Dentaid on winning the highly-coveted award. 

“The standard of entries this year was as high as ever, despite the challenges that the sector has faced during the pandemic – so Dentaid should be very proud to have won their category. Their programme has delivered great results.

“For 22 years the Charity Awards have been recognising and celebrating the fantastic work that large and small charities do up and down the UK every day of the week, and the rigorous judging process ensures that only the very best-run charities win awards.”

Peter Hugh Smith, chief executive at Overall Awards Partner CCLA, added:

“Dentaid demonstrates beyond any doubt that the charity sector really can change the world. Huge congratulations to their team.”

Henry Schein Dental UK joins Dentaid and The MalDent Project

The initiative is to help increase access to dental care for under served communities in Malawi

Henry Schein Dental UK, along with the charity organisation Dentaid and the Scottish Government-funded international development project The MalDent Project, are helping to increase access to dental care for under served individuals in Malawi. As part of an ongoing initiative led by the MalDent project to build Malawi’s first purpose-built dental hospital and school, Henry Schein Dental UK, The MalDent Project, and Dentaid recently helped enhance two central hospitals in the community by repairing existing and installing new equipment in the dental departments and preparing dental chairs for installation in peripheral medical centres. The dental hospital and school will support Malawi’s new Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.

Chris Cox from Henry Schein Dental UK, Stuart Bassham from Dentaid, and Jeremy Bagg from The MalDent Project and the University of Glasgow participated in a service trip to help enhance the equipment and materials available at the two central hospitals. At Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre, they repaired and maintained compressed air supplies by restoring electrical connections and renovating the floors throughout the treatment centre. At Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, they helped to upgrade the dental treatment, oral surgery, and clinical skills departments by repairing and servicing several existing units and installing new dental equipment. The team also visited Kamuzu University of Health Sciences to meet senior staff members and spend time with the dental students studying in Malawi.

“The reality is that with only a small number of dentists to serve an entire population, many individuals in Malawi lack proper dental care, a basic necessity that many of us take for granted,” said Chris Cox, Product Manager, Henry Schein Dental UK. “I’ve seen first-hand the complications that poor oral health can cause, and it is important that everyone has access to dental care. That is why I continue to support this cause in any way that I can, and I am honoured to have been able to contribute to this initiative.”  

In support of Kamuzu Central Hospital, a dental chair was installed in the oral surgery theatre. Previously, all patients requiring oral surgical procedures had to lie flat, which hindered comfortable patient positioning and limited access for the dental team. The new unit has helped to make the treatment more effective and more comfortable for both the patient and the dentist. The dental chair, along with other equipment, was donated by Dentaid.

In addition to the dental chair installation, the following items were completed at Kamuzu Central Hospital:

  • Dental simulators were installed in the clinical skills department and existing simulators were serviced to keep them in good working order. This equipment will help the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences double the amount of pre-clinical students training in the Kamuzu Central Hospital at a time.
  • Hands-on user training was provided for the dental students, helping to build their knowledge of the equipment. Furthermore, these simulators are also used by dental therapy students from the neighbouring College of Health Sciences, adding to the educational value of the upgraded simulation facility.
  • Seven further treatment centres were serviced and prepared to be brought into rural community medical centres across the country and installed by the local biomedical engineers. This allows the health care providers to conduct more check-ups and preventive dental care for the community, without them having to travel great distances.
  • Henry Schein Dental UK also donated tools, spare parts, and service kits for the biomedical engineers to utilise moving forward.

“At Henry Schein, we have a long-standing commitment to advancing health equity and advocating for and raising awareness of the needs of under served communities who are disparately disadvantaged,” said Patrick Allen, Managing Director, Henry Schein Dental UK, Ireland, South Africa, and The Nordics. “Supporting the first purpose-built dental hospital and school in Malawi reflects our continued efforts to increase access to care for under served populations, and we are dedicated to being a catalyst for change to help improve access to quality, affordable health care.”

In addition to the maintenance projects, Henry Schein Dental UK is also helping to design a training programme for the biomedical engineers in Malawi to help address the need for enhancing dental equipment maintenance and repair skills in the community. In these various ways, Henry Schein Dental UK, Dentaid, and the MalDent Project, together with a new partner, Medical Aid International, are working together to positively impact the future of oral care in Malawi.

The MalDent Project is a collaboration between the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (formerly the University of Malawi College of Medicine) and the University of Glasgow Dental School with a goal to spread important oral health messages to remote and rural communities. Its core funding is provided by the Scottish Government International Development Programme. Henry Schein Dental UK has partnered with the MalDent Project to help provide ongoing support for the creation of the dental hospital and school.

For more than 25 years, Dentaid has been working to improve access to safe, sustainable dental care and oral health education projects in the UK and globally. Henry Schein Dental UK has partnered with Dentaid on dental equipment donations and other technical support projects in the past.

This Malawi initiative is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Henry Schein’s corporate social responsibility programme. Henry Schein Cares stands on five pillars: empowering Team Schein to reach their potential, advancing health equity and expanding access to care for under served communities, accelerating environmental sustainability, strengthening, and diversifying our supply chain, and maintaining strong ethical governance. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on four main areas: (1) wellness, treatment, prevention, and education; (2) capacity building; (3) emergency preparedness and disaster response; and (4) health system strengthening.

Photo Caption: Chris Cox from Henry Schein Dental UK and Stuart Bassham from Dentaid working with Malawian therapists and biomedical engineers, providing them experiential training on dental chair installation – part of a link with Medical Aid International.

 

Dentaid shortlisted for the Charity Awards 2022

Dentaid is delighted to announce that it has made the shortlist for this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.

The dental charity, based near Southampton, has been shortlisted in the healthcare and medical research category for its mobile dental clinics for people experiencing homelessness which provide access to dental care and oral health programmes for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Dentaid’s UK programme has grown rapidly since the pandemic and this year the charity’s four mobile dental units will help thousands of people experiencing homelessness out of dental pain, with the help of hundreds of volunteer dental professionals.

The Charity Awards, which announces its shortlist today (11 May), is the charity world’s longest-running, biggest and best-known awards ceremony. This year’s charities have been judged by an independent panel of charity leaders as having demonstrated outstanding best practice from which other organisations can learn.

The ten category winners, plus the recipients of the Overall Award for Excellence and the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement, will be announced at a black-tie dinner on 16 June, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Matthew Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media, which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated Dentaid on making the highly-coveted shortlist.

“The breadth and quality of the work being done by charities across the UK continues to astonish. Dentaid should be very proud to have made the shortlist.

“For 22 years the Charity Awards have been identifying and celebrating the fantastic work that UK charities do. Our rigorous judging process highlights those charities with the most innovative ideas and the most effective approaches to delivering real change.

“All the nominees on this year’s shortlist are examples of large and small charities who are truly leaders in their field. I wish Dentaid the very best of luck on the night.”

Andy Evans Dentaid CEO said: “It’s a great honour to be shortlisted for the Charity Awards and this is recognition of all the hard work we have invested in helping people experiencing homelessness to access dental care.  We wouldn’t be here without our amazing volunteers and supporters and we’re truly grateful to everyone who’s been part of Dentaid’s journey over the last 26 years.”