Caroline Jackson, the clinical director of Hartlepool's Dental & Implant Centre, has stated she will treat any child who has not seen a dentist in the last two years.
According to government research, children and young people living in the most deprived communities are 3.5 times more likely to have tooth extractions than those living in the most affluent. BBC News explained, “Hartlepool is one of the most deprived areas in England.”
Caroline said, “It's not right or fair that if you are a child in a poorer household, you are more likely to have a tooth extracted.
"Having a healthy smile shouldn't be dictated by how wealthy your parents are.
"We want to do our bit to help by offering check-ups to children in our community at no cost to their parents."
The practice has offered emergency appointments to anyone with a dental issue for over a year as part of a scheme introduced by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. But Caroline and her team are calling for it to be extended.
A spokesperson for the board reportedly said the scheme was “being reviewed in light of recent national dental reforms.”