Crisis at Christmas are calling for specialist volunteers including dentists, dental nurses and dental hygienists to sign up to donate their services to help homeless people in London over the festive season.

The urgent call is for volunteers to work shifts from 9 am to 5.30 pm from 23 December through to 29 December 2012. Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people, asks that every volunteer signs up for a minimum of two shifts.

Past dental volunteer Mary and her husband Alan said that the experience had a profound effect on them both. 'Volunteering has been the most professionally and emotionally rewarding experience of my entire year,' said Mary.

Up to ten temporary centres will be set up in London as part of Crisis at Christmas. The centres will provide vital companionship and hot meals for homeless and vulnerably housed people as well as essential services like health checks, housing advice, training and education opportunities.

Online volunteer applications opened on 15 October – further information can be found at www.crisis.org.uk/pages/volunteer.html or by calling 0300 636 1000.