Dentaid to offer free dental treatment in Huddersfield
One of the UK’s leading dental charities, Dentaid, will be providing free dental treatment in Huddersfield and the surrounding area over the course of the next two weeks. The charity is responding to a shortage of dentists in the area, which is making it difficult for patients to gain access to NHS dental services.
MP Paula Sheriff claims that no dental practices in the Greenhead ward of Huddersfield are accepting new NHS patients, and this is contributing to rising rates of dental issues in the area. Speaking recently, the Dewsbury MP, said that people in her constituency are finding it difficult to see an NHS dentist and the situation is getting worse.
In response to the problems raised by local people, Dentaid was awarded a grant worth £7,060 by the Dewsbury and Mirfield District Committee. The money will be used to host a series of clinics in the region over the coming fortnight. A mobile unit will be providing free dental care for those who cannot see a dentist in six different locations, including Savile Town, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury and Thornhill Lees.
Services available at the clinics include extractions, fillings, urgent pain relief and oral hygiene advice.
The clinics will be staffed by volunteer dentists, including team leader Nick O’Donovan from Dewsbury Dental Centre.
Dentaid CEO, Andrew Evans, said that the flexibility of mobile units gives the dentists the opportunity to visit areas where there is a need for treatment. The priority will be to relieve urgent pain and provide advice that could help to reduce the risk of further problems.
News of the clinics has been warmly welcomed by cabinet leader for public health, Cllr Cathy Scott, who said that she was “delighted” that Dentaid is coming to the area.
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