HOMELESS and vulnerable people across Southampton can look forward to greater access to dental care.

Dentaid, a dental charity that increases access to dental care around the world and in the UK has moved to Totton.

Its new home and headquarters is a refurbished warehouse on Commercial Road which has been transformed by a team of volunteers.

The charity sends dental equipment to dentists around the world, along with portable surgeries that fit into a wheelie bin.

These "DentaidBoxes" are used to set up a dental surgery in the most remote locations in the world and can be operated without access to running water or electricity.

The new building also has room for Dentaid’s mobile dental unit which is used to provide outreach dental care for homeless and vulnerable people across, including Two Saints’ Patrick House hostel in Millbrook.

Volunteer dental professionals take the unit to soup kitchens and day centres and also park it in fishing ports where they run clinics for fishermen who often find it difficult to access dental care.

Dentaid celebrated its move with an open day attended by England’s chief dental officer Sara Hurley, councillors, business leaders and dental professionals.

Among the guests was Dentaid’s, earliest supporter Vic Jackopson, who helped found the charity.

At the open day music was provided by an octet from Ocean Harmony barbershop chorus.

Guests enjoyed refreshments, videos showing Dentaid’s work in the UK and overseas and tours of the workshop.

In his speech chairman of trustees Jeremy Hett thanked Dentaid’s supporters past and present and everyone who had been involved with the project.

He said: "The charity has moved to smart new premises in Totton and it is wonderful to celebrate an exciting new phase for the organisation, as it seeks to build strategic relationships with the local community.”

Dentaid CEO Andrew Evans said “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters and the volunteers who made this dream a reality. The demand for Dentaid’s services increasing access to safe, sustainable dental care in the UK and overseas is growing all the time and this premises will allow us to meet it.”

Funding for the relocation came from The Valentine’s Trust, Beatrice Laing Trust and individual donors.