London dental practice offers support for local homeless community
A dental practice in London is making a positive difference to the local community by offering support for the homeless.
Dr Ghassan Al-Shaikh Radi, from Acton Town Dental Practices, has launched a new scheme to help local homeless people. Smile Again has been in the pipeline for many years and the team is delighted that it is now finally up and running.
As part of the initiative, the practice opens its doors on the first Sunday of every month to provide treatment for the homeless and destitute.
The team has been working alongside a number of local charities and organisations that support rough sleepers, including Action Homeless Concern, Ealing Soup Kitchens, St Mungo’s, Thames Reach and The Upper Rooms (West Ealing).
During the drop-in sessions on the first Sunday of the month, the practice team is on hand to offer dental services, with a range of treatments available.
In addition to urgent care and pain relief, dentists also provide hygiene treatments, crowns and fillings, extractions and in some cases, braces and dentures. Patients who are attending appointments can also benefit from a hot meal and drinks, which are provided by The Village Kitchen.
To get the project up and running, Dr Al-Shaikh Radi has received support from several local charities and businesses, including Estetica Dental Labs. The owner, Angelo Zuccari Plini, donates all prosthetic work free of charge.
The charities involved in the project also play a vital role in promoting the sessions and arranging for people to get to and from the surgery. The local vicar, Rev Dean Ayres, also visits most months to talk to the patients and check in with the dental team.
As well as running the free dental clinic once a month, patients can also access further treatment that cannot be completed on the day and emergency care, which is passed on through local homeless charities.
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