Bromley Healthcare has implemented a dental service for homeless individuals, providing oral health advice and clinical follow-up appointments. The service is delivered in partnership with local shelters, and is the result of collaborative planning, stakeholder engagement, and multiple discussions aimed at creating a comprehensive and sustainable service model.
The initiative was highlighted during a Bromley Council Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday, July 3, 2025, where Bromley Healthcare provided an update on their services and strategic goals, focusing on community-first initiatives. Details of the meeting, including the agenda, can be found on the Bromley Council website.
According to the Bromley Healthcare presentation, some of the social determinants of homelessness can make it difficult for people experiencing homelessness to prevent poor oral health. The dental service aims to address this by providing essential care to a marginalised population.
What began as a simple question: 'Can we provide oral health advice at the shelter?', quickly revealed layers of complexity,
Bromley Healthcare stated in their presentation. From the outset, we prioritised quality and safety, embedding principles of information governance, safeguarding, consent, and risk assessment into our design.
The pathway includes interactive oral health sessions at shelters and clinical follow-up appointments at dental clinics. This comprehensive and sustainable service model reflects a commitment to social value, ensuring access to respectful, preventative care for those often left behind.
By May 2025, the pathway had moved from blueprint to reality, with several interactive oral health sessions delivered at the shelter, creating safe spaces for engagement and education. Clinical follow-up appointments are arranged at the dental clinic, bridging immediate support with long-term care.
The service is designed to be flexible, structured, and inclusive, adapting to the needs of a marginalised population. Bromley Healthcare is focused on scaling impact, deepening partnerships, and continuing to integrate oral health into wider systems of support.
