Bury Drop In based in Bury St Edmunds visited by Community Dental Services van to offer vital dental treatment to homeless and vulnerably-housed people

A mobile dental van visited a homelessness charity in Bury St Edmunds today to offer vital services to guests who need it most.

The Community Dental Service was outside Trinity Methodist Church where Bury Drop In holds its sessions to give dental treatment to the homeless and vulnerably-housed people the charity supports.

It was hoped about 10 people would be seen during the time the dental van was outside which was from 10am to 2pm. The sessions followed on from the success the project earlier in the year.

General manager Sabine Dornbusch said: “We had six people still on the waiting list after we finished the project so we knew there was a need.

“Again the sessions filled – with backups so we don’t waste an appointment – and we had generous support from the Rope Trust and private donors so we had the money to do it again.”

Last time in total 32 people received treatment.

“It’s over-stretched but for some people it’s life-changing,” Sabine said.

“Because if you battle addiction and you have to take painkillers that doesn’t aid your recovery.

“Some people are able to eat properly now so they can eat without pain and they can sleep – which all aids mental wellbeing.”

Sabine added that if these sessions weren’t running people would go to A&E, simply live with the pain or try to treat themselves by pulling out their own teeth.

“When you’re homeless your oral hygiene is not very good – you don’t have a bathroom, you don’t have water or toothbrushes with you. We give those out and we support dental hygiene, but it is more difficult.”

This was the first of three sessions with the other sessions happening on November 7 and December 5.

The charity would like to hold more dental sessions in the future, depending on the need and if it can be funded.