Volunteers are urgently needed to offer dental services to homeless people in London over the festive season as part of Crisis Christmas, running from Wednesday 23 December to Wednesday 30 December 2009.

The Crisis Christmas Dental Service relies on qualified volunteers to provide a range of routine dental treatments including check-ups, scale and polish and fillings as well as providing basic dental health advice and education.

Crisis is looking for qualified dentists, dental nurses and hygienists to help run the Dental Service at Crisis Christmas this year, to build on the success of 2008 when over 200 patients received dental treatment. Shifts run from 8.30am to 6pm from Thursday 24 December through to Tuesday 29 December with volunteers required to work a minimum of two shifts.

Bianca Payne, a senior dental nurse and volunteer at Crisis Christmas 2008, said, ‘I was immediately affected by the warmth of the place. The dentistry was carried out in fully equipped vans. There were people everywhere holding steaming hot cups of tea and coffee, engrossed in wholesome conversations and having a good laugh. We all worked hard but had plenty of time to sit down, have a chat with the guests and other volunteers sharing stories. At the end of three days I wished my day-to-day work was as much fun as this.’

To find out more about volunteering volunteering@crisis.org.uk, apply online at http://www.crisis.org.uk/volunteering or call 020 7426 3874.