The first Islanders have hopped on board Dentaid's new mobile dentist service, which rolled out on the Isle of Wight for the first time this week, while its operators revealed they intend to cross the Solent even more regularly than was first planned.

The Isle of Wight County Press met Dentaid CEO Andy Evans in Oakfield in Ryde, on the bus's first day here.

He said: "We are going to be operating a monthly rota.

"There has been a massive response to our advertising and we have actually upped the number of clinics that we are doing here. It does show you there is a big need, and there are a lot of local patients who fit our criteria for care."

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Isle of Wight County Press: The NHS Dental Bus in Ryde this weekThe NHS Dental Bus in Ryde this week (Image: IWCP)

Suffering with a painful abscess, one of the first patients to access the service said two years ago, she had a dentist, but then the surgery switched to subscription only.

She was referred by NHS 111, after spending Friday at St Mary’s Hospital.

She said: "There has been so much misinformation and now I’m desperate. I just want to be seen by a dentist."

Read more: Here's how to make an appointment with new mobile dentist

Hundreds of Island residents are without access to NHS dental care and the mobile unit is a bid to ease pressure on the system and increase access to care, for those who are eligible.

Vulnerable Islanders, including families experiencing poverty and those at risk of homelessness, as well as children and new and expectant mothers, can book an appointment.

Emergency appointments are also available for patients suffering acute pain, who have no other access to dental care.

Patients can be referred, via charities and organisations, or can contact Dentaid directly - but must not already be registered with a dentist.

Check-ups and oral cancer screenings, health advice and emergency care, including extractions and fillings will all be carried out on board, with 15 appointments available per dentist, per day.

The Island's is one of several dental buses working the south coast, thanks to a partnership between NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Dentaid.

It will visit Ryde, East Cowes, Newport, Sandown and Freshwater over a week per month.

Isle of Wight County Press: Dentaid's bus, in Ryde this weekDentaid's bus, in Ryde this week (Image: IWCP)

How do I make an appointment to see a mobile dentist on the Isle of Wight?

  • The service is for Isle of Wight and Hampshire residents facing health inequalities, who have no other access to dental services
  • Appointments will be by referral, via community groups, GP practices, foodbanks, charity partners and 111
  • Alternatively, call Dentaid The Dental Charity on 023 8001 4450, to make an appointment
  • Only people who meet the eligibility criteria will be offered appointments
  • Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening is not included
  • CLICK HERE to see if you are eligible for free dentist care

Isle of Wight County Press: On board the NHS Dental BusOn board the NHS Dental Bus (Image: IWCP)

Simon Cooper, director of Dentistry Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight inherited dentistry around 18 months ago, in a position that we know we do not have sufficient capacity.

"The government’s recent guidance suggests coastal communities are particularly challenged and that is probably multiplied on the Isle of Wight.

"That is why we are here."

The dental bus will return to the Island at the end of April.