Oral Health with Dentaid and Scott Bader

Supporting Community Oral Health with Dentaid

Accessing basic dental care may seem easy at first, however in the recent years it has become a significant challenge for many vulnerable people across the UK. Individuals experiencing homelessness, living in deprived areas or facing mobility and financial barriers often struggle to secure simple check-ups or routine appointments. Without access to preventative care, minor oral health issues can escalate into severe pain, infections and long term health complications.

For these individuals, timely dental treatment can do more than just relieve discomfort. It restores dignity, improves nutrition, supports employability and contributes to their overall mental and physical wellbeing.

Through our dedication to corporate social responsibility, Scott Bader actively invests in initiatives that help to strengthen communities. Partnering with Dentaid – a charity dedicated to tackling oral health inequality that has enabled targeted support for those in need.

The Need: Widespread Dental Health Inequality

Oral health disparities remain a persistent issue in under-served communities. Many individuals must travel long distances to reach an NHS dentists, while others face complex personal circumstances that make attending at appointment nearly impossible.

Limited access to early education or oral hygiene can intensify these challenges. When preventative habits are introduced in childhood, they play an important role in supporting long-term dental health and reducing the risk of more issues later in life. Strengthening this foundation can help communities lower the occurrence of untreated decay, gum disease and preventable tooth loss.

Some consequences extend beyond oral discomfort. Untreated dental conditions can lead to systemic infections, chronic illness and place additional strain on already stretched healthcare services.

The Partnership: Scott Bader’s Role

As an employee-owned business, Scott Bader embeds social value into its operating model. Supporting charitable initiatives like this is a core expression of our Founding Principles rather than a one-time activity.

The Scott Bader Commonwealth donated £4,000 to Dentaid in October last year to support their two mobile operating clinics within Northamptonshire.

The contribution helped to provide:

• Urgent treatment, including tooth extractions and pain relief

• Preventative and restorative care like scale and polish and fillings

• Oral cancer screenings

• Practical health advice and oral hygiene education to promote long-term wellbeing

Through mobile services, care could be delivered directly within our local community, helping to remove logistical barriers and meeting patients where support is needed the most.

Scott Bader is proud to support every charitable activity and project around the world, particularly those within our local areas, where the community plays an important role in shaping our business 

Transforming Lives Through Dental Access

Dentaid’s programme has undergone a substantial transformation and demonstrated measurable success in expanding access to essential dental services:

• Patients numbers increased by 112% year-on-year, reflecting both rising need and improved outreach.

• Across the UK, 896 clinics were delivered in 2024, many focused-on individuals experiencing homelessness or significant health inequality.

In Northamptonshire alone:

• More than 30 types of treatment were provided, including 8 cancer screenings.

• 515 patients were referred for further examination and ongoing care.

The programme operates alongside Encompass which expands their reach to Rushden and Corby, supporting individuals facing vulnerability, housing instability and limited healthcare access.

Voices for the clinic

First-hand accounts demonstrate the human impact behind the statistics:

Clinicians volunteering their expertise also reflected on the experience:

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

Scott Bader remains committed to investing in initiatives that generate meaningful and lasting social value. This year marks the 75^th anniversary of our Commonwealth structure which continues to guide the business through principles of shared ownership, responsibility and community engagement.

The Commonwealth supports UK-based projects such as helping to build a catamaran for disabled sailors at the Disabled Sailors Association, alongside initiatives in the communities worldwide where the business operates. Colleagues, partners and community groups are encouraged to engage with Scott Bader Commonwealth whether by applying for grant support, volunteering opportunities or collaborating on initiatives that strengthen positive community impact.