A mobile dental clinic run by The Hope Foundation (HOPE) is delivering free oral healthcare to some of Kolkata’s most vulnerable communities. Launched in 2023 as an outreach initiative of Hope Hospital, the clinic travels across the city to reach street dwellers, slum residents, and remote areas where formal dental services are scarce or non-existent.
The fully equipped van provides essential treatments such as dental check-ups, tooth extractions, cleanings, and fillings. To date, it has served around 10,000 children and adults.
The project not only offers care but also aims to create a sustainable model for oral health delivery that can be replicated across districts in West Bengal. The focus is on prevention and closing the gap in dental care access between urban centers and underserved rural areas.
India faces a critical shortage of dental professionals, with only 2.3 to 15 dentists available per 10,000 people. As a result, many people—especially in poorer communities—lack access to even basic oral healthcare.
Poor dental health can have lasting consequences. For children, it often leads to missed school days and disrupted learning, which can affect their long-term development and opportunities.
HOPE’s mobile clinic addresses these challenges directly, providing care to approximately 7,000 patients annually at a cost of just £4 per person. However, continued support and funding are essential to keep the service running.
The organisation is appealing for additional donations to maintain and expand the programme, ensuring that financial hardship and location no longer prevent thousands from receiving vital dental care.
