Hope Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic Continues to Provide Free Oral Healthcare to Vulnerable Populations in Kolkata
Kolkata, India – The Hope Foundation’s (HOPE) Mobile Dental Clinic, an outreach project of Hope Hospital, has been providing free and accessible oral healthcare to some of Kolkata’s most vulnerable populations since its establishment in 2023.
The project, which focuses on prevention and developing a sustainable model for oral healthcare delivery, aims to address the stark disparities in dental care access between urban and rural areas in West Bengal. It specifically targets street dwellers, slum communities, and remote regions of Kolkata where organized dental services are virtually non-existent.
Equipped with the necessary tools and equipment, the mobile clinic offers essential treatments such as dental check-ups, scaling, extractions, and fillings to approximately 10,000 children and adults annually. This initiative is crucial because of several reasons:
– In India, there are only 1.5 to 2.3 dentists per 10,000 people, leaving many underserved communities without access to proper oral healthcare.
– Poor oral health has been linked to higher rates of missed school activities among children, affecting their overall education and future opportunities.
– India’s oral healthcare system often leaves rural communities and the economically disadvantaged with limited or no access to dental services.
By establishing a sustainable model for mobile dental care at the district level, HOPE is improving oral health outcomes for Kolkata’s street children, slum dwellers, and rural populations. This will ensure that financial constraints and geographic barriers will no longer hinder these vulnerable groups from receiving essential dental care.
The project currently provides essential dental care to 7,000 patients annually, at just £4 per person. However, continued support is vital to sustain this life-changing service. Additional donations are needed to ensure that this vital care continues to reach those who need it most. Those who wish to donate can visit https://www.thehopefoundation.org.uk/donate/ to contribute.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
Attached are photos of the Mobile Dental Clinic.
The Hope Foundation (HOPE) was founded in Ireland in 1999 by Maureen Forrest. The charity’s mission is to restore basic human rights to children and families living on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata, India. Currently, the charity oversees 57 projects in various program areas, including healthcare, education, vocational training, and child protection. In 2007, the UK branch of HOPE was established.
– Since 1999, HOPE has positively impacted the lives of 3 million people, including enabling 97,000 children to access education.
– Visit www.thehopefoundation.org.uk for more information.
– Follow HOPE UK on social media: Facebook @TheHopeFoundationUK, Instagram @the_hope_foundation_uk, LinkedIn: @the-hope-foundation
– For fundraising-related queries, please contact Juliette Whittaker, Head of Fundraising (HOPE UK) at juliette@thehopefoundation.org.uk
– For media-related queries, please contact Debbie Jacobs, Communications & Marketing Manager (HOPE UK) at debbie@thehopefoundation.org.uk
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.