Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have received their first NHS dental van, designed to bring essential treatment to people in rural and underserved areas.
The mobile unit, run in partnership between NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Smile Together Dental CIC, is aimed at patients who have struggled to access care or have been waiting for an NHS dentist.
The van offers check-ups, treatment, urgent appointments and oral health advice. Patients also receive health packs containing toothbrushes, toothpaste and emergency contact details. In cases of urgent need, the team can provide immediate support and arrange follow-up care. Those on the waiting list for an NHS dentist will be contacted when the van visits their area and invited to book an appointment.
The service will also visit veterans, many of whom face dental problems linked to their military service, and fishing communities, where access to healthcare is often limited. Smile Together is working with the Fishermen’s Mission to reach these groups.
Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, said:
“We have listened to people who tell us how important accessing an NHS dentist is to them. This van is one of the proactive measures we are taking to bring care closer to people’s homes. It reflects our commitment to the NHS 10-year plan, which focuses on prevention as well as treatment.”
Matthew Jerreat, NHS England’s Chief Dental Officer for the South West, welcomed the scheme.
“It’s fantastic that residents in some of our most rural areas will now be able to access an NHS dentist closer to home. This is another step in rebuilding access to NHS dentistry and improving oral health in the places where people need it most,” he said.
Smile Together’s practice manager, Sarah Andrews, added:
“We are proud to deliver care through our mobile dental unit, helping reach vulnerable people who have struggled to find a dentist. Being able to provide treatment and advice where it’s needed most is truly rewarding.”
The dental van is part of wider efforts to improve dental access across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. These include thousands of additional urgent and emergency appointments, stabilisation treatments after emergency visits, and new contracts with local dentists in high-need areas. Recruitment efforts are also underway to bring more dentists to the region.
