Paediatric Dental Health in Tower Hamlets
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Healthwatch Tower Hamlets undertook research on paediatric dental health in Tower Hamlets. They spoke to 86 local residents and service users between January and March 2019, including parents attending dental appointments and parents engaged through school coffee mornings, to understand barriers to accessing dental services and attitudes towards children's oral health.
The research found that registering with a dentist was generally straightforward, but many parents experienced difficulties booking appointments, particularly after-school appointments. Long waits for specialist referrals to the Royal London Dental Hospital and orthodontic services were a common concern, with some families waiting many months for treatment. While most parents were positive about the quality of care they received, awareness of NHS 111 dental services was low, with some parents saying they would attend A&E instead if they could not access a dental appointment.
The relationship between dentists, parents and children emerged as an important factor in maintaining good oral health. Parents reported that supportive, reassuring dentists helped children feel comfortable attending appointments, while fear of dentists could result in missed check-ups and delayed treatment. Parents were generally aware of oral health education in primary schools but felt there was less emphasis on oral health in secondary schools. Concerns were also raised about support for children with additional needs and a lack of clear information about some dental procedures and treatment choices.
Healthwatch Tower Hamlets recommended expanding oral health education in schools, improving information about available dental services and NHS 111, encouraging stronger relationships between dentists and families, providing clearer explanations of treatment decisions, improving support for children with additional needs, and using schools to help remind parents about routine dental appointments. The report concluded that better information, education and communication could help improve children's oral health and reduce avoidable dental problems.