Halifax dental staff make visors to put smile back on NHS frontliner faces

Leading the charge is Sean McMoran, a dental sales manager, who is using 3D printing to provide PPE equipment and visors for NHS frontline staff.

The team started the project during the end of March, and on April 29 a total of 2,000 visors had been shipped out to hospitals, care homes, and ambulance services across Calderdale and Kirklees.

Mr McMoran, who usually works as a sales manager for Metrodent, said: “We started this project because we’re all in the dentistry sector and understand the importance of infection control.

“We have a 3D printer handy and wanted to make use of our equipment to help frontline staff, who are exposing themselves to coronavirus everyday.”

Now, Mr McMoran has started a Go Fund Me to help pay for the equipment needed for the visors.

He said: “Each visor cost £5 to make, and the fact we made 2,000 visors in one month just shows how costly this project has become.”

Another issue facing Mr McMoran is the possibility the dental sector could collapse due the Covid-19 lockdown.

Recently Halifax MP Holly Lynch blasted the government's decision with how it has dealt with the dental sector, arguing it has been 'overlooked' and could collapse in a matter of weeks.

Statistics from the British Dental Association state with all routine care now suspended in response to the COVID-19 crisis 68% of the region’s practices report they can only remain financially sustainable for 3 months or less, while 15% estimate they can only survive the month.

Less than a third (28%) estimate they will be placed to restore pre-pandemic levels of patient access, with 24% of practices have already attempted to secure a government backed interruption loan, but 98% of applicants were unable to secure credit.

Mr McMoran said: "I think dentist may go under but it's difficult to predict anything at this time, especially for what's install for the dental industry."

If you want to donate, visit: gofundme.com.