A TOOTH bus is providing free dental check-ups for homeless people.

The mobile drop-in service is available to any child or adult who has not seen an NHS dentist for two years.

Service users of charity Routes to Roots drop-in centre in Skinner Street, Poole, were the latest to be seen by dentists thanks to an event organised by Healthwatch Dorset.

The health watchdog said problems exacerbated by poor dental health include heart conditions, diabetes and pneumonia so it is vital everyone has easy access to NHS treatment.

Rev Pat Southgate from Routes to Roots, said: "We support a number of homeless people who have been refused urgent dental care in the past because they weren't registered with a dentist. We're very grateful to Healthwatch Dorset for organising this Toothbus visit, it's provided a safe place for the people we work with to get a dental check."

Service user Karen, said: "I was really nervous about seeing a dentist because I know I need some work done, but the Toothbus dentist was very friendly and put me at ease. They also gave me some great advice."

Healthwatch Dorset took part in a national report on people’s experiences of dentistry from across the country last year. Healthwatch England found that there are three areas requiring particular attention - access, information and complaints. There are also real gaps in provision for particular groups, such as those in care homes, people with disabilities, refugees and people who are homeless.

Joyce Guest, Healthwatch Dorset chairman, told us: "There are a number of issues local people have raised with us about NHS dentistry across Dorset. It can be hard to find a dentist taking NHS patients, costs are sometimes unclear and almost half the children in Dorset didn’t see a dentist last year.

"It’s important that people can get the care and advice they need. When people can’t get an appointment or services aren’t made available to them, they can be left in pain or without check-ups to help avoid tooth problems at a later stage."

The Toothbus, which is available to everyone, parks up in Poole High Street on Mondays and in Boscombe High Street or Bournemouth Square on Fridays.

For more information go to toothbus.co.uk

To support Routes to Root centre, all 01202 667880.