Southend-on-Sea — Rough sleepers in Southend are now receiving free dental treatment thanks to a new initiative aimed at improving oral health among the city’s homeless population.
Harp, Southend’s largest homelessness charity, partnered with dental charity Dentaid to offer care through a mobile dental unit stationed at the Bradbury Day Centre last Wednesday.
This visit is part of a growing collaboration between Dentaid and Southend Council, which will see weekly dental services provided to people facing homelessness across the city.
Dentaid, a UK-based non-profit, delivers dental care to vulnerable groups, including those affected by poverty, homelessness, abuse, and addiction. The charity’s mobile clinics travel across the country to reach patients who cannot access conventional dental services.
At the Southend clinic, patients received help with urgent dental needs like extractions and fillings, along with advice on maintaining oral hygiene.
“It went really well,” said Natalie Carey, Front of House and Facilities Coordinator at the Bradbury Day Centre. “Many of our rough sleepers have serious dental problems like abscesses. Normally, the only option is to refer them to hospital, where they face long waiting times. Having Dentaid here has been fantastic, and we’re hopeful they’ll return.”
The mobile clinic depends entirely on charitable donations and the dedication of volunteer dental professionals. Each visit typically lasts around four hours and serves up to eight patients.
“Many of the people we see haven’t had access to a dentist in years,” explained Ria Wickham, Clinical Supervisor at Dentaid. “Some have faced discrimination or struggle to stick to regular appointments due to unstable living conditions. By bringing care to them, we remove many of the barriers.”
The mobile dental van, donated by Swiss dental technology company Straumann Group, will rotate between several local homelessness outreach sites, including Harp, One Love, and the St Vincent’s project.
Among the volunteers was Dr. Tanvi Bagtharia, an associate dentist from Benfleet who joined the team in Southend for her first session with Dentaid.
“I’ve been qualified for five years and am currently studying for a master’s in Implantology,” she said. “I’ve seen other dentists support Dentaid and really wanted to give back. It’s great to be here and make a difference.”
Joining her was Rebecca Robertson, a dental nurse also volunteering for the first time. “The van is so well-equipped. When Tanvi told me about the opportunity, I didn’t hesitate. It’s very rewarding to be part of something meaningful,” she said.
Harp, which operates from the Bradbury Day Centre on York Road, plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Southend. The charity runs a wide range of services, including housing advice, hot meals, and health outreach projects, to help people move off the streets and rebuild their lives.
