'Dental charity gives me new hope after years of addiction'

A charity that provides free dental care for people experiencing homelessness and hardship has returned to the site of its first-ever clinic to mark its 10-year anniversary.

Dentaid The Dental Charity first visited Dewsbury in 2015 and has since grown into a national charity with a fleet of dental units that this year will deliver more than 1,300 outreach dental clinics.

Roy Wake, 54, who visited the service on Wednesday, said after years of addiction, having his teeth treated was a major part of rebuilding his life.

Andy Evans, CEO of Dentaid, said being able to mark the anniversary by returning to where it all began was a "fantastic feeling" and an "achievement we are truly proud of".

The charity's first clinic in Dewsbury was run by local dentist Nick O'Donovan, who opened his practice every Thursday evening to treat people unable to access traditional care.

The success of this pilot scheme led Dentaid to purchase its first mobile dental unit shortly afterwards.

For people like Mr Wake, the service is a lifeline.

Previously addicted to drugs and alcohol, Mr Wake said it had cost him most of his teeth, damaging both his confidence and quality of life.

"I do tend to not have solid foods, so anything mushy I'm all right with," he said.

"I'm not eating peanuts, raw carrots or anything like that. I haven't eaten anything like that probably for about five or six years."

Mr Wake has broken one of his back teeth and said the pain was excruciating on a bad day. Being able to attend a clinic with Dentaid has given him new hope.

"I'm starting to get myself back on my feet. So I've got myself a house, I've been in recovery now for 18 months, I'm volunteering at my local hub," he said.

"Knowing there's a way forward and the positivity they've given me just to know that I'm not on my own and getting these teeth removed and moving forward it's just going to be amazing."

Wednesday also marked the launch of Dentaid's new northern hub near Holmfirth, which the Southampton-based charity said would help it reach more locations while reducing carbon emissions.

Its 11 eco-friendly, self-sufficient mobile dental units run on batteries and solar panels, which make them quiet and fume-free, Mr Evans aid.

As part of its service, the charity provides extractions, fillings and anything needed to stop dental pain.

"If you're already going through maybe a poor element of life, to be able to smile and have confidence in your smile is really important," he said.

"By offering the service to these patients it means that they feel that they know when we're going to turn up, we're advertised to them and so they know they can come along and receive the help that they need."

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