The Need for Urgent Dental Care

For many asylum seekers and refugees, accessing dental care in the UK is nearly impossible. Language barriers, lack of registration, and systemic challenges mean that some individuals endure excruciating pain for years without treatment. 

Asylum Link Merseyside provides a vital support network, offering everything from English lessons to bike repairs. Through this partnership, Henry Schein helps organise visits from the Dentaid mobile dental unit, ensuring that refugees receive the care they desperately need.

After spending the day volunteering his time to help, Chris remarked: “Many patients leave the Dentaid bus holding their faces in disbelief, overwhelmed with gratitude. For them, this initiative isn’t just about dental care—it’s about dignity, comfort, and a renewed sense of hope.”

With Liverpool now secured with local council funding for ongoing support, our focus is shifting to Cardiff. Chris is working with Oasis, a charity that supports refugees in Wales, and Cardiff University to establish a similar initiative - potentially Dentaid’s first-ever operation in Wales. 

The goal? To provide the same life-changing care to another community in need.

The Future: Prevention and Education

Beyond emergency treatment, prevention is key. We’re looking to introduce educational sessions, complete with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hands-on demonstrations. Many of those we help have never been shown how to care for their teeth. By equipping them with knowledge, we can prevent future pain and suffering.