Mobile dental clinic supports people experiencing homelessness in Derry

Dentaid The Dental Charity has provided free dental treatment to people experiencing homelessness in Derry on its return to Northern Ireland.

The charity held five outreach mobile dental clinics at the Foyle Haven Day Centre, operated by homelessness charity Depaul, between March 23 and 27.

Volunteer dentists and dental nurses supported Depaul’s service users, with treatments to relieve dental pain and assessments for those who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed.

It marks the charity’s first visit to Northern Ireland in more than a year to provide treatment for those in need of care who are facing barriers to dentistry such as homelessness, harm, poverty or abuse. Dentaid has previously held clinics in Armagh, Belfast, Coleraine and Lisburn.

Dentaid operates 11 mobile dental units, each containing equipment including a chair, lights, dental instruments and X-rays. They travel around the UK visiting locations such as homeless shelters, women’s refuges and community centres to provide care to vulnerable people in places where they receive advice and support.

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Last year Dentaid provided more than 30,000 dental treatments including fillings, extractions and scale and polishes to 8,438 people experiencing homelessness, harm, poverty and abuse across the UK.

Depaul is a charity which supports some of the most marginalised individuals and families living in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. They provide emergency and long-term accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, along with wrap-around support and interactive workshops in schools to help children understand homelessness and make safer choices.

Jill Harding, head of marketing and communications at Dentaid The Dental Charity, said: “Returning to Northern Ireland has been one of our main priorities for 2026 as we recognise the need for dental care is hugely important, especially for the most vulnerable groups of people.

“This week has been hugely rewarding in terms of being able to not just help people out of dental pain but enable them to feel more confident in their appearances and help break down barriers to support stemming from their oral health.

“A huge amount of work has gone into making these clinics a success and we would like to give a big thanks to Depaul and Bupa Dental Care Londonderry helping us to give smiles back to people experiencing homelessness.”

Commenting on the partnership, Helena Bracken, Project Group Manager at Depaul's Foyle Haven service said: “We are very grateful for the support of the Dentaid team and for their incredible work. At Depaul, we believe everyone deserves the dignity of a healthy smile and so we are proud to host Dentaid's mobile clinic this week providing life-changing care directly to our service users. 

“Together, we are breaking down barriers to healthcare and supporting those who need it most.”

To learn more about Dentaid The Dental Charity please visit www.dentaid.org.