Sir, further to our article one year ago regarding the first dental aid unit in a Greek refugee camp,1 we are pleased to report that the charity has gone from strength to strength and is now known as 'Health Point Foundation'.

The unit has moved to Thessaloniki in northern Greece, where it is most in demand. We operate from a base camp and run outreach programmes to over 16 camps and are currently the only providers of dental aid to the refugees in Thessaloniki (Fig. 1). We have had over 300 international volunteers including dentists, therapists, nurses, translators, ground co-ordinators and administration staff. Last year we were working in a makeshift tent using massage tables as dental chairs. I am pleased to report the base camp has now moved into a donated container. Equipment has advanced and we have two dental chairs, portable hand pieces and much more.

Figure 1
figure 1

Nausheen Siddiqui (third from right) with the team at Thessaloniki

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The service runs six days a week. A typical working day would include packing equipment from the base camp and setting off for outreach. Work normally starts by 10 am. With the situation being incredibly fluid, it is not uncommon to arrive at the camp and face an obstacle. This may include the military not allowing you access to the camp, another NGO is using your room, or the refugees have all left the camp to new accommodation. It is important to be flexible and keep an open mind. Once the patients start flowing, the satisfaction and gratitude makes any obstacles seem trivial. Currently, treatment is emergency based only, carrying out mostly extirpations and extractions. We run dental education programmes in the camps.

The refugees in Thessaloniki have moved into tents within containers. They are basic but it is a vast improvement from when thousands were sleeping outside. The housing is provided by the UNHCR but most of the amenities are volunteer-led. Like the dental aid, there are NGOs who set up playgroups, ladies activities and education programmes. The focus is towards stabilisation and allowing the refugees to build a life here.

We are grateful for the support from so many people in the profession. If anyone would like more information please visit our website at http://healthpointfoundation.org/ or email dental@healpointfoundation.org.