Dentaid has taken the top prize in the Healthcare & Medical Research category at this year’s Charity Awards.
The charity won the prestigious award for its work providing outreach dental care for people experiencing homelessness. Dentaid’s four mobile dental units travel the UK with volunteers offering dental checks and treatment for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
In addition to helping people experiencing homelessness, Dentaid provides outreach dental services for head and neck cancer patients, fishing communities, refugees, retired service personnel, and victims of domestic violence.
Since the pandemic, demand for Dentaid’s services has skyrocketed. This year the charity will run around 400 UK clinics. The charity also plans to grow its fleet of vehicles and establish regional hubs. These hubs will reduce travelling time and fuel costs.
Dentaid was presented with the trophy at a black-tie ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on June 16, 2022, hosted by broadcaster, commentator, and writer Ayesha Hazarika.
The Charity Awards shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of expert judges, themselves all eminent figures in the charity sector. The judges scored each entry against six Hallmarks of Excellence and praised Dentaid for its “aspirational work that was making a huge difference.”
Andy Evans, Dentaid CEO said, “It is such an honour to win this award. It’s testament to the hard work and generosity of our amazing volunteers, supporters and everyone who’s been part of our journey over the last 26 years. The need for our work is greater than ever, with more people experiencing homelessness struggling to access dental care. By helping them out of dental pain and increasing their confidence we can help them to move on to a new chapter in their lives.
“Winning this award is recognition of what we have achieved so far, but it will also help us to grow and develop so we can help more people in the future.”
Matt Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated Dentaid on winning the highly-coveted award. Matt said, “The standard of entries this year was as high as ever, despite the challenges that the sector has faced during the pandemic – so Dentaid should be very proud to have won their category. Their programme has delivered great results.
“For 22 years the Charity Awards have been recognising and celebrating the fantastic work that large and small charities do up and down the UK every day of the week, and the rigorous judging process ensures that only the very best-run charities win awards.”
Peter Hugh Smith, chief executive at Overall Awards Partner CCLA added, “Dentaid demonstrates beyond any doubt that the charity sector really can change the world. Huge congratulations to their team.”