Hundreds attend mobile dentist at Dewsbury sessions - 150 in first week

More than 150 people who had been unable to access NHS dental treatment in the Dewsbury area have been successfully dealt with or given referrals by a mobile unit.
Volunteers at the Dentaid mobile dental unit which has been in Dewsbury, Mirfield and ChickenleyVolunteers at the Dentaid mobile dental unit which has been in Dewsbury, Mirfield and Chickenley
Volunteers at the Dentaid mobile dental unit which has been in Dewsbury, Mirfield and Chickenley

The seven-day project began when 21 people received pain relieving dental treatment at a clinic held at Pentland Infant School.

The first patient, Phillip Rushforth, had five teeth extracted after suffering weeks of dental pain that was preventing him sleeping.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said he had been unable to register with an NHS dentist in the town.

Philip Rushforth in the chairPhilip Rushforth in the chair
Philip Rushforth in the chair

The mobile dental unit has also visited Mirfield Community Centre, Dewsbury Town Hall and Chickenley Community Centre.

The team has seen up to 30 patients a day and extracted around 100 painful teeth. They have also seen children in dental pain including one who had to be referred for multiple extractions under general anaesthetic.

The clinics provided emergency pain relieving treatments including extractions and fillings along with oral health advice and teeth screening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The treatments were free, people able to just turn up and wait to be seen.

Nick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen DadNick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen Dad
Nick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen Dad

A spokesperson for Dentaid said some patients have been arriving in tears due to excruciating dental pain and leaving with smiles on their faces following treatment.

The project has been funded by Kirklees Council which awarded Dentaid a £7,060 grant.

It follows a pilot project in Dewsbury, launched in December 2015, which provided dental care for 150 people over seven months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some of those patients had developed dental problems while they were on a dentist’s waiting list and others were vulnerable people who found it hard to access regular treatment.

Philip Rushforth in the chairPhilip Rushforth in the chair
Philip Rushforth in the chair

More than a year after the pilot project finished there are still reports of two year waiting lists to register with an NHS dentist in Dewsbury, said the spokesperson.

Local MP Paula Sherriff, who has raised concerns about access to dental care in the constituency in parliament, has also visited the clinic.

The volunteers on the mobile dental unit were led by dentist Nick O’Donovan from Dewsbury Dental Centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The project was also an opportunity for foundation dentists to gain experience of outreach clinics in community settings.

Nick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen DadNick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen Dad
Nick O'Donovan examines Kirklees Councillor Rosheen Dad

“The beauty of the mobile dental unit is that we can take a dental service right to the people who need it most,” said Dentaid CEO Andrew Evans.

“We understand there are many reasons why people might not be able to access dental treatment and we want to help people out of immediate pain before offering them advice about accessing regular dental care.”

Coun Cathy Scott, cabinet lead for public health at Kirklees Council said: “We know that not everyone is registered with a dentist and that some people find it difficult to pay for dental care. 

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“By supporting this project we can make sure that the most vulnerable people in our communities can access support to relieve pain and prevent future problems occurring.

“The mobile clinic was in easy to reach, in well known locations.”

Coun Scott said she had encouraged anyone who is concerned about their dental health and did not have access to dental care at the moment to go along and see one of the volunteer dentists.

The programme began on Monday, September 25, and had seen 150 people by the end of the first week, finishing with sessions at Thornhill Lees Community Centre on Tuesday, October 3.