Homeless Friendly and the Oral Health Foundation have teamed up to provide over 1000 tubes of Oral B toothpaste, plus denture fixative and dental chewing gum to the vulnerable and those in need in Greater Manchester.
This mammoth community effort, facilitated by us and the Oral Health Foundation, will see toothpaste distributed to places all over Greater Manchester.
We will be distributing the donation to Homeless Charities in each of the 10 who will then pass them onto the people that they support.
Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation, hopes this donation will go far in boosting the oral health of those in Greater Manchester who might be struggling to maintain a healthy mouth:
“It’s vital that oral health is maintained, not just for health of the mouth, but also for mental health as well. We hope that this donation of toothpaste, denture fixative and dental chewing gum will allow those that receive them to get all the benefits that come with healthy teeth and gums and put a smile on their face.”
The importance of good oral health cannot be underestimated. In recent years poor oral health has been linked to a number of wider health issues such as an increased risk of developing diabetes, dementia, and complications from a Covid-19 infection.
Dr Atkins agrees and hopes that this donation will support recipients in achieving a healthy smile.
He says: “It is so important that people have the means to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Good oral health cannot be achieved without brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. Brushing your teeth should be done last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.”
Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE (Homeless Friendly) feels strongly that a person’s health covers many aspects, with people who are homeless often struggling to access dental treatment, we are very keen to develop links with local dentists and feel that with Dr Ben Atkins support we are starting to make a positive impact.
To find out more about the work of Homeless Friendly, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information about the work of the Oral Health Foundation, including how you can support their work, head to www.dentalhealth.org.
