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The total number of attendances at all the clinics in the Borough during 1967 was
20,166. It is obvious that the output of work in each clinic would have increased
considerably if the number of broken appointments could have been reduced to a reasonable
level.
Much closer liaison is being developed with local head teachers, school secretaries
and school staff so that appointments in term time are known to all concerned. Appointments
in school holidays are now limited, where possible, to those known to be reliable
attenders. The long term solution to this problem lies in taking dentistry to the
patient by the use of mobile clinics, surgeries built into large schools and mobile
equipment which can be taken to schools and set up on a temporary basis. Dentistry
provided in, or alongside, schools is just as appropriate in urban areas as in rural
communities. It not only eliminates broken appointments but improves the image of
dentistry, which becomes part of school life and allows the dentally deprived child, who
would never be taken to the dentist except in pain or other emergency, to get essential
treatment.
(d) Dental Health Education and Dental Health Stamps
Education of children and parents so that they can help to control dental disease
and the stimulation of their interest in their own dental needs is imperative. The main
causes of dental neglect are ignorance and fear. Patients are ignorant of the facts that
regular visits to the dentist, routine oral hygiene and simple dietary control will
largely prevent dental distress. Fear of the dentist and his task which largely stems
from fear of the unknown can be eliminated. Once ignorance is overcome then parents are
able to help their children to retain healthy mouths; once fear has gone, it will be
found that teeth will really matter to the majority of parents and children.
Once this situation exists, the majority of young children respond to some form of
reward for attendance at the dentist. Tangible evidence in the form of dental health
stamps, which prove that the children have made an effort to help themselves, has
continued to stimulate attendances for treatment during the year.
The campaign, instituted during May, 1966, was continued until the latter part of
1967. The Dental Health Stamp project, which was fully described in last year's report,
was designed to provide children with rewards for attendance and treatment, to involve
all the dental profession in Tower Hamlets in a single enterprise and to provide some
analysis of treatment given The stamps issued by the dentist were of four colours - red
for examination, silver for fillings, black for extractions and gold to signify dental
fitness - and were collected on each child's individual card. Twelve stamps brought the
reward of a badge.
The whole campaign was amazingly successful in that the children's enthusiasm for
stamps and badges increased as the campaign progresses. Unfortunately, it was this
enthusiasm, together with the difficulties of detailed administration, which has precluded
the production of conclusive results. Children have been so enthusiastic about their own
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