S4 EP5: Dentaid The Dental Charity with Jill Harding
Nov 13, 2023
auto_awesome
Jill Harding, Communication Director of Dentaid The Dental Charity, shares the inspiring story of the charity's origin and their incredible initiatives like providing dental equipment to Ukrainian prisons and delivering entire dental practices in a wheelie bin to remote areas. They discuss their collaborative work environment, expansion of services, and funding sources. The podcast emphasizes the importance of dental professionals in delivering care and highlights Dentaid's achievements and plans for the future.
Dentaid The Dental Charity started as a dental service in a Ukrainian prison and has since grown to provide dental care to vulnerable groups both in the UK and abroad.
The success of Dentaid The Dental Charity relies on its fundraising efforts, corporate partnerships, and support from the dental industry to operate and expand its mobile dental clinics and provide accessible dental care to those in need.
Deep dives
Dentate: A Dental Charity Making a Difference
Dentate is a dental charity that started 26 years ago with a dental service in a prison in Ukraine. Since then, the charity has grown and expanded its initiatives both in the UK and abroad. Their main focus is on providing dental care to vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. They operate mobile dental clinics across the UK, delivering outreach dental care to people like the homeless, refugees, and survivors of abuse. Dentate also works overseas, sending teams of dental professionals to countries like Uganda, Cambodia, Morocco, and Malawi. The charity relies on various funding sources, including grants, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and individual donations. They are always in need of more volunteers, who can contribute their time and skills to the clinics. Dentate's greatest achievements lie in their ability to scale up quickly in response to increasing demand and their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of their patients.
The Varied Role of Dentate's Communications Director
The Communications Director of Dentate, Joe Harding, plays a crucial role in overseeing various aspects of the charity's communications and marketing strategy. Joe's responsibilities include managing Dentate's website, social media presence, press releases, and marketing materials. But his role goes beyond that. Joe also actively participates in Dentate's mobile dental clinics, where he engages with volunteers, patients, and corporate guests. This hands-on involvement allows him to experience the impact of Dentate's work firsthand and contribute to the smooth running of the clinics. Working in a small organization like Dentate provides Joe with the opportunity for variety and adaptability in his job, from day-to-day tasks to long-term projects like rebranding. Although Joe's workload can be demanding, he and his small team of colleagues work collaboratively and flexibly to ensure the delivery of dental care to those in need.
Funding the Clinics and the Importance of Support
The operation and expansion of Dentate's mobile dental clinics require substantial funding. The clinics are supported by multiple funding streams, including trust and grants fundraising, collaborations with local councils and partner charities, and corporate support. Dentate's fundraising efforts include events like golf days, skydives, and challenges that individuals and organizations can participate in. Corporate partnerships, equipment donations, and individual fundraising all contribute to the successful funding of the clinics. Dentate emphasizes the importance of support from the dental industry, encouraging dental professionals and practices to get involved in fundraising, volunteering, and spreading awareness about the charity's work. The impact of Dentate's clinics is tangible, making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals who otherwise struggle to access dental care.
Dentate's Evolving Focus and Future Plans
While Dentate's beginnings were primarily focused on providing dental equipment and services overseas, the charity has expanded its scope in recent years. Dentate now runs mobile dental clinics across the UK, catering to various communities in need. The charity's focus includes not only the homeless population but also refugees, survivors of abuse, fishing communities, head and neck cancer patients, families living in poverty, and more. Dentate plans to establish regional hubs in different locations across the UK to better serve these communities. They also aim to grow and develop projects like their initiative to provide dental care for head and neck cancer patients. The charity's future relies on continued fundraising efforts, volunteer support, and partnerships within the dental industry. Dentate hopes to see more dental professionals and organizations championing their cause and becoming part of the charity's mission to provide accessible dental care to those who need it most.
This week on The Eastman Dental Podcast, Communications Director for Dentaid The Dental Charity, Jill Harding, joins us. Jill shares the inspirational starting story of the charity from providing dental equipment to Ukrainian prisons to delivering entire dental practices in a wheelie bin to dentists in the remotest areas! Dentaid The Dental Charity provide aid to refurbish dental practices and provide equipment for dentists across the globe. They have recently rebranded and expanded, and provide dental aid to populations across the UK via mobile practices.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
