Mydentist practice teams around the UK have been helping their local communities smile through acts of kindness.
From delivering prescriptions to simply calling elderly patients for a chat to ease the loneliness of social isolation. Teams have done all they can to support people living nearby.
Tom Riall, Mydentist chief executive, said: ‘Throughout these uncertain times it has been truly heart-warming to see our colleagues’ community spirit.
‘I am incredibly proud of all of our people. Not only for keeping practices open to provide vital telephone triage and emergency support, but also proactively looking after those who are vulnerable. In these tough times we really could not ask for more.’
Just a handful of examples of community support from Mydentist’s team are below. The team has also been sharing stories, thanking their colleagues and keeping in touch via a new Mydentist Facebook group. It attracted nearly 3,000 members in just two weeks.
Looking after the elderly in east Lancashire
Mydentist practices in east Lancashire decided to make sure none of their elderly or vulnerable patients were lonely. They got in touch for a chat, and then gave practical help by running errands and shopping for essentials.
Reading to residents in Newtown
Rhian Slaymaker, treatment co-ordinator from Mydentist New Road, New Town, decided to continue her voluntary work with a local nursing home by recording herself reading to them. Rhian often reads to the residents. So, by recording herself she could continue while keeping everyone safe.
Meanwhile, the practice in Newtown also donated as many oral health products and kids activity sheets as they could to the local food bank. They also delivered prescriptions to people unable to leave their homes.
Supplies for young patients in hospital
During the COVID-19 outbreak visiting in hospitals has been reduced. Mydentist Crickhowell put together a hamper of toiletries and activity packs. They then donated these to children and young patients at their local hospital to help them pass the time.
Donating hand sanitiser to the NHS
Mydentist’s procurement team was able to donate 300 bottles of badly needed hand sanitiser to the NHS. These were split between Manchester Children’s Hospital and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, close to its support centre.
Delivering food parcels
Access to food has been difficult for the most vulnerable. Mydentist Stroud decided to supply care packages to the homeless. They also offered themselves up as a rest stop for emergency services to refill their travel mugs with tea and coffee. Meanwhile, Mydentist practices in Dukinfield and Hull have supported local care homes and charities to make sure elderly residents have enough to eat.
Shopping for soft foods
Chaitanya Kallisetty, a dentist from Mydentist in Welshpool was so worried about one of his elderly patients being able to eat while they await a new denture that he went on a shopping trip to make sure they were well-stocked with soft foods and wouldn’t have to leave the house.
A thank you to the team
Mydentist Halifax Crescent, Doncaster, walked in to a surprise on the 6 April. A local resident’s child decided to say thank you by drawing a huge rainbow and message on the wall outside.
They were not the only practice to display a rainbow as many practice teams also displayed their own works of art to bring a smile to the local community.
