Raising smiles: Oral scanners transform care

Thanks to the incredible backing of our local communities, dedicated hospital staff and a generous donation from the Warrington Hospital’s League of Friends, two new intraoral digital scanners are now transforming orthodontic care at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH).

Funded through the Raising Smiles Appeal, the state-of-the-art handheld scanners have replaced traditional alginate moulds with fast, accurate digital impressions. The result is a quicker, more comfortable experience for patients across both hospital sites, with one scanner now in use at Halton and one at Warrington.

For 18 year old Harry Underhill, who studies at Cronton Sixth Form College, the change was clear from the start. Having previously endured thick, sticky dental moulds, this appointment felt completely different.

Harry said: “During the scan, the scanner was placed in my mouth and moved around periodically. The scan took only around five minutes and was much quicker as it did not require much preparation.

“It was far more comfortable. There was no plaster residue, no unpleasant taste and it felt much less restrictive to my breathing. It definitely made me feel more relaxed during my treatment because the whole process was so quick and straightforward.

“I think this technology will help other patients feel more confident about having orthodontic treatment and less worried that it will be painful or uncomfortable.”

For younger patients and those who feel anxious about dental care, that reassurance is invaluable.

Ian Edwards, consultant orthodontist at WHH, said: “These new scanners are making a real difference to our patients every single day. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from younger people who can find dental procedures daunting.

“The speed and accuracy of the scans reduce anxiety and allow us to plan treatment more effectively, which ultimately leads to better outcomes. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the Raising Smiles Appeal. Every donation has helped us transform the way we deliver orthodontic care.”

The Orthodontics team also stepped up during the campaign, taking on personal and team fundraising challenges to help bring the scanners to life.

Thank you to our supporters who have helped create a calmer, more comfortable experience for patients like Harry and many more to come.

If you would like to support projects that enhance patient care across Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, please contact the WHH Charity team at whh.charity@nhs.net or see how you can help.