Dental nurses across the UK can apply for a funded volunteering trip abroad to provide vital dental care in underserved communities.
Perfection Plus has teamed up with Dr Mitesh Badiani and SmileStar to provide an opportunity for a dental nurse to join one of the charity’s overseas outreach programmes in 2026/2027.
Smilestar was founded by Dr Mitesh Badiani, lead clinician and partner in Portman Dentex, to provide basic dental care to underprivileged communities in Africa and India along with ex-Royal Marines in the UK. The reach of Smilestar is extending and visits are planned for Fiji and Peru.
Philanthropy runs in the Badiani family. In 2008, Jagdishbhai Badiani – Mitesh’s father – opened a hospital in Gujarat, India, to provide dental treatment and eye surgery.
Covered costs
To date, the Smilestar volunteers have treated over 50,000 patients with the mission of relieving pain, creating lasting change and empowering local clinicians and building a sustainable legacy of care.
A board of leading dental industry professionals will select the chosen applicant. The trip will take place at one of the various overseas locations such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Congo, Uganda and Kenya.
The applicant is expected to fundraise just £500 themselves – with all the remaining costs being covered by Perfection Plus.
Applicants should send a cover letter no more than 500 words long and including the following information:
- Why would they love to join the SmileStar outreach programme?
- Why are they passionate about dentistry and making a difference to those most in need?
- Some background in information on themselves and their dental training
- How they plan to fundraise the £500 – the more innovative the better.
Sam Wells, managing director of Perfection Plus, said: ’The work that Smilestar does not only transforms the lives of the patients they treat, it creates a legacy of improving access to oral health and creates lasting positive change. The impact of this is not only felt by those receiving treatment, but also by those giving the treatment too.
‘Being part of a SmileStar outreach programme doesn’t just change the lives of the patients, it changes the lives of the dentists, dental nurses and the other volunteers who give their time. This is why Perfection Plus is so proud to support the work of SmileStar.
‘Applying for this incredible opportunity will allow a dental nurse the chance of a lifetime. They will be part of an incredible team changing lives in underprivileged communities, with the place mostly funded by Perfection Plus.’
How do I apply?
Deadline for applications is 30 September 2025 and cover letters should be sent via email to [email protected] or can be posted to the address – Perfection Plus, Unit 6 Westwood Court, Brunel Road, Totton, SO40 3WX.
