A CHARITY group needs a dentist so that disadvantaged children can be given a check-up. The Cambridgeshire branch of the Friends of Chernobyl s Children (FOCC) is appealing to dental practices to help when 16 children arrive from Belarus next month. Nicol

A CHARITY group needs a dentist so that disadvantaged children can be given a check-up.

The Cambridgeshire branch of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children (FOCC) is appealing to dental practices to help when 16 children arrive from Belarus next month.

Nicola Dunklin, 38, of Melbourn, who set up the branch in April, has already put together a programme of health checks for the children.

Mrs Dunklin said: "Part of our commitment involves giving the children the care that they so desperately need.

"We have already got medical checks and a visit to an opticians arranged. All we need now is to secure visits to a dentist."

Each child will need an initial dental examination, and then any follow-up care.

"In Belarus, a visit to the dentist can be expensive and often very painful.

"But these children do not have that care available to them because these are the most needy.

"This will be vital care for each child.

"It can make a substantial difference - in fact, it can help increase their life expectancy, which is what it's all about," said Mrs Dunklin.

"The charity is run by unpaid volunteers and we rely on people to help with this sort of care.

"We have done so well and come so far, and all we need now is the dental help."

She said that everyone involved is "excited" about the arrival of the children on September 10.

"This is something that we have been aiming for a very long time and is the culmination of some very hard work.

"I started off feeling like a one-man band, now I feel I have a force to be reckoned with.

"We have a team of dedicated people who are going to help make a huge difference."

Mrs Dunklin is looking for two dentists to offer the required care which will need to be carried out in the early stages of the visit.

The group has permission from the children's parents and carers and host families will be willing to travel wherever necessary to make sure the children are examined.

If anyone would like to help the Cambridgeshire FOCC, call Nicola Dunklin on 01763 220651 or Sandra Jordan on 01763 242997.