North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) dentist Heather Murdoch has worked in the community dental service in Carlisle for over 2 years. But this summer, she will travel to Uganda to provide care.
Heather said: “Day to day I provide care and treatment to a variety of patients with physical and mental disabilities, dental anxiety, children with additional needs, and emergency dental care.
“In June 2024 I will be going to Uganda with Dentaid. They are a dental charity that provides oral healthcare for people experiencing homelessness and other hard to reach groups across the UK and overseas. They offer dental screening, oral cancer checks, pain relieving and emergency treatments, preventative and restorative dentistry, and oral health advice. Their goal is to break down barriers patients face in accessing dental treatment, relieving pain and increasing confidence in their oral health.
“As a Dentaid volunteer I’ll be working with local dental partners to run outreach clinics in schools, orphanages, prisons, slum areas and community buildings. We’ll be providing safe, free dental treatment for some of the poorest and most remote communities in the world.
“Each day our team will help hundreds of people out of dental pain. We’ll also be running oral health and toothbrushing programmes, and working to promote dental health. Dentaid’s work continues all year round, providing equipment, sharing expertise and supporting projects that help people access life changing dental care.
“I have always wanted to volunteer with Dentaid and I have the chance to give something back to people who struggle to access dental treatment and use my skills where they can make a real difference. I also hope this experience will help me to have a new perspective on dentistry and develop as a person professionally and personally.”
Heather is aiming to raise £2,000 and would welcome any support.
Donate to support Heather’s work with Dentaid
Heather finished by saying: “Thanks to your support I’ll be part of an amazing team, improving access to safe dental care and making a difference with dentistry.”
