UK EO Awards Highly Commended: Social dentistry saves NHS funds

Smile Together Dental CIC was Highly Commended, with judges citing it as astounding example of offering a positive impact.

The team of 102 operating in Devin and Cornwall, became a staff-owned Community Interest Company in 2016, providing both NHS and private dental care.

Smile provides “dentistry with social impact” which has seen it invest surplus funds to tackle huge social problem in the health of teeth in adults and children by targeting those who are least likely to access dental services.

Smile has treated double the number of those with special needs, provided oral hygiene advice in over 30 schools and has also reached out to those with disabilities, people who are homeless and refugees, reducing the need for future emergency treatment, which has been directly credited with saving valuable NHS funds.