Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise is committed to improving oral health across the South West.
We do this by:
Running Dental Education Facilities in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter, where students from Plymouth University studying for a career in dental health (as a dentist, nurse, hygienist or therapist) treat NHS patients under the supervision of qualified and experience dental health professionals.
Improving awareness of oral health in the wider community, focusing on groups such as schoolchildren, the elderly, parents, those with specific conditions, people with special needs substance abusers, the homeless, prisoners – anyone who needs additional support to improve their oral health.
Ensuring access to dental care for all, but especially to those groups who may feel excluded from mainstream dentistry. We do this by taking dental professionals and students out into the community, and inviting the community into our dedicated Dental Education Facilities to get to know us better, and to become more comfortable about coming to us for treatment.
As a social enterprise we are a not-for-profit organisation. Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise is the first project of its kind to receive the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark. The Mark is the only independent proof that an organisation puts people, planet and community ahead of profit.
Our values
Patient Focus – put patients interests first
Professionalism – deliver the highest standards of quality and care
Integrity – trustworthy and honest, promoting equality and inclusion
Community – making positive change to oral health in our communities
Passion – pride, commitment and enjoyment in all we do
Innovative – drive positive change through creativity and continuous improvement
PDSE has adopted the following statement which forms the underlying principle for its community engagement activities:
The company’s activities will provide benefit to…
Members of the community in Devon and Cornwall requiring dental treatment, other clinical and non-clinical services and other relevant information.
Students and other members of the community who require education and training in dentistry and related clinical and non-clinical services.
Furthermore, the CIC registration documents stated that the company will provide a range of services such as:
Teaching and training
Research
Community engagement
Workshops
Providing dental treatment
Education about oral health
Other related activities
And that the community will benefit by:
Improved education
Improved health
Reduced oral health inequalities
These values and outcomes should guide the company’s community engagement work.
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC Principles of Community Engagement
About Community Interest Companies
CICs are limited companies with special additional features, created to conduct business, or other activity, for community benefit and not for private advantage.
This is achieved by a ‘community interest test’ and an ‘asset lock’, which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes to which the assets and profits are dedicated.
Registration of a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role. For more about CICs visit: www.bis.gov.uk/cicregulator