Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Mechelen, Wel en Wee, Alderman Sabe De Graef, and Mobile Dentists provide 36 vulnerable residents free dental screenings and follow-up treatment, addressing barriers amid a severe local dentist shortage.
As VRT News reported, in Mechelen, vulnerable families can now get free dental care at the Wel en Wee health centre.
“People in vulnerable situations are particularly overrepresented: they often wait until the pain becomes unbearable before seeking help,”
explains Welfare Alderman Sabe De Graef (Vooruit).
To help these residents, the Wel en Wee centre, the City of Mechelen, and the Mobile Dentists service have selected 36 patients for a special program. Today, Nov 12, 2025, these patients will receive a complete dental screening. Dentists will check their teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
How is Mechelen helping 36 vulnerable residents get free dental care?
After the screening, the participants will get the treatment they need in the next few weeks. Officials mentioned that the program is designed to reach people who face financial or practical barriers to dental care.
“Dental and oral care should be a priority for everyone: we all know the consequences if it’s not followed,”
emphasises Laura Van Hese, health coordinator at Wel en Wee.
“We’re trying to meet that need. We’re also running all sorts of projects here to emphasise this.”
The patients taking part in the program based on basic criteria and through professional referrals. People cannot call individually to make an appointment. The system ensures that the program reaches those who need help the most.
“They are all people from disadvantaged backgrounds, elderly people, or people with disabilities,”
says health promoter Lisa Verschueren.
“We make oral care accessible to those who need it most.”
Sabe De Graef (Vooruit), Alderman for Welfare in Mechelen
The city of Mechelen has run several projects in recent years to improve oral health.
“In the past three years, 151 patients were screened. 93 of them received a referral and treatment appointment,”
says Alderman De Graef.
Despite these efforts, the severe shortage of dentists limits how many people can be helped. Many residents still face difficulties in getting regular dental care.
“That’s why we looked for alternatives. With the Mobile Dentists, we’re now filling a gap in the healthcare landscape. We’re making oral care accessible to those who need it most.”
Belgium continues to struggle with oral health issues. In 2019, approximately 1 in 4 individuals had tooth decay which was not treated. Additionally, a national survey from 2019‑2021 showed that about 26% of Belgians had not visited a dentist at all during that period. The country has a limited access to dentl care now, with only about 10.5 dentists for every 10,000 people in 2018.
