Expanding access to community-based dental care in the UK
Through a multi-year partnership, the Straumann Group Foundation, Straumann Group UK & Ireland, and Dentaid The Dental Charity are bringing dental services directly into community settings — supporting both immediate care needs and long-term oral health outcomes.
The challenge
Many people across the UK are unable to access traditional dental services due to homelessness, poverty, social exclusion, or personal circumstances.
Untreated dental conditions can lead to pain, difficulty eating or speaking, and a loss of confidence — often reinforcing broader health and social inequalities.
Our approach
This project brings care directly to where it is needed most, combining outreach, prevention, and restorative pathways.
Fully equipped mobile units deliver frontline care in trusted community settings, including urgent treatment, preventive care, oral health advice, and oral cancer screening.
Patients are supported with referrals into mainstream healthcare services, ensuring continuity of care beyond initial treatment.
Selected patients, particularly female survivors of domestic abuse, are supported in accessing restorative dental care — including implant-based solutions where appropriate.
Who we support
The project focuses on individuals facing significant barriers to care, including:
- people experiencing homelessness
- individuals affected by poverty, addiction or social exclusion
- female survivors of domestic abuse
Care is delivered in partnership with local organisations that already support these communities. This project brings care directly to where it is needed most, combining outreach, prevention, and restorative pathways.
Scale and reach
- Multi-year programme running from 2026 to 2028.
- Around 24 mobile clinics delivered in the first year.
- Approximately 200 patients treated annually.
- Services delivered across the south east and north west of England.
Partnership
This initiative brings together complementary expertise:
provides funding, strategic oversight, and impact measurement.
supports local engagement and volunteering.
delivers clinical services and community outreach.
Together, the partners strengthen an ecosystem of care that connects community services with the wider healthcare system. Multi-year programme running from 2026 to 2028.
Impact
The project aims to create meaningful, lasting change:
- reducing dental pain and improving daily quality of life
- restoring confidence and wellbeing
- increasing access to preventive and restorative care
- strengthening local care networks
- reducing stigma around oral health
Impact is measured through both data and lived experiences, including patient feedback and case stories.
Sustainability
The programme is designed to go beyond short-term delivery by:
- integrating services into existing healthcare and support systems
- building strong local partnerships and referral pathways
- encouraging long-term ownership and continuity of care
Looking ahead
By bringing dental care directly into communities and connecting patients to longer-term treatment pathways, the project contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable oral healthcare system in the UK.
Additional information and useful links
- Straumann Group Foundation: https://www.straumanngroupfoundation.org
- Partner organisation: https://www.dentaid.org/
- STRAUMANN GROUP FOUNDATION VISITING DENTAID: https://www.straumann.com/group/en/straumann-group-foundation/what-we-do/dentaid-visit.html
- STRAUMANN GROUP FOUNDATION AND DENTAID PARTNERSHIP: https://www.straumann.com/group/en/straumann-group-foundation/what-we-do/dentaid-partnership.html
