Sir, we would like to congratulate Caton et al.,1 for their qualitative paper on their evaluation of a community dental service for the homeless and hard to reach.

We, as part of our micro-educational opportunities,2 engage with the community by sending our Year 5 dental students and hygiene/therapy students to a variety of community settings together with qualified dental nurses. These include a homeless shelter for young adults, a drug and alcohol detoxification unit, drug and alcohol recovery services, and the Probation Service (community drop in centres). The students talk with the residents and service users disseminating oral health advice, providing oral health screening and free toothbrushes and toothpaste. Patients requiring treatment are then offered an appointment at the Dental Academy where all treatment is provided by students free of charge through our NHS primary care contract.

Although our provision of community service is much less comprehensive than that reported, as it is just one element of what we do at the Dental Academy, it does embed in the students a new dimension to their professional career. Despite reducing budgets, we have continued to provide the services due to their significant positive impact on the patients, as well as broadening the experience of our students. Last, we will point students to this excellent paper to give them greater insight into dental care for the homeless and hard to reach, to enhance their understanding in this important area of dental care provision.