Poole dental bus provides treatment for the homeless

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A mobile dental unit based in Poole visited a homeless charity last week as part of a project run by Healthwatch Dorset.

The Toothbus, which is equipped with everything a dentist needs to carry out routine dental treatments, visited the Routes to Roots drop-in centre for the homeless last week to provide free dental checks. The unit was stationed in Skinner Street.

It can be difficult to access dental care when you don’t have a fixed address, and Routes to Roots has been working with Healthwatch Dorset to try and make dental care more accessible for the people who use the centre. Rev Pat Southgate, from the charity, said that many people who need dental care have been refused it in the past because they aren’t registered with a dental practice. The charity tries to step in and provide urgent relief, as well as preventative care, and visits from the Toothbus and similar initiatives make the world of difference.

Karen is just one of many people who benefited from a visit to the Toothbus dental team. She was incredibly anxious about seeing a dentist because she knew her teeth weren’t in perfect condition, but the team made her feel at ease, and they also gave her some really helpful information and advice.

Manager of the Toothbus, Angie Naughton, thanked Routes to Roots and Healthwatch Dorset for organising the event. Ten people were treated by the dentists and everyone was provided with information about how they can register with a local NHS practice.

The Toothbus is designed to bring dental care to people who haven’t seen a dentist in a long time. It can be found on Poole High Street on Mondays and either Boscombe High Street or Bournemouth Square on Fridays. For more information, check www.toothbus.co.uk.

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