A dentist has teamed up with the world's first hospital train, the Lifeline Express, to deliver oral health to remote parts of India. Neil Sikka of Barbican Dental Care has teamed up with charity Impact India Foundation to provide essential equipment for the charity's Lifeline Express train.

To date over 500,000 patients living in the remote rural interiors of India where medical facilities are scarce, have been treated. Last year the charity introduced dental services as a trial measure on the Lifeline Express at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh State. Patients received free treatment for scaling, fillings, extractions and minor surgery, and biopsies of a few patients were taken for diagnosis.

Dr Sikka said, 'In the West we are lucky to have access to affordable and professional dental care. However, in the farthest reaches of remote India it is beyond a luxury, with many not being able to receive treatment, even if they could afford it. As a result, people there live with the debilitating pain of toothache day in, day out. By teaming up with Impact, I am confident we will be able to provide dental care to those who need it and give them a reason to smile.'

He plans to travel to India on the inaugural trip to provide treatment to the rural community. Anyone who would like to be involved in future trips should contact him on n.sikka@blueyonder.co.uk or for further information on Impact India, visit http://www.impactindia.org.