‘All I Want for Christmas Day’ in Blackpool
People in recovery, and other groups who find it hard to access NHS dental services in Blackpool received essential dental treatment onboard a mobile dental unit operated by Dentaid. The project was funded by Horizon, Blackpool Council’s drug, alcohol and non-clinical sexual health support for Blackpool residents – and was the brainchild of Carole Houston, communications lead for Horizon, Janet Goodwin, president of the Oral Health Foundation and Blackpool resident, and Pam Swain, chief executive of the British Association of Dental Nurses, which is based near Blackpool. The event was attended by Eric Rooney, deputy chief dental officer.
Carole’s previous PR experience in dentistry had led to her meeting Janet and Pam, and also made her aware of the work done by Dentaid. Having obtained funding from Horizon to commission Dentaid, Carole went ahead organising the day at the Church Street centre used as a focal point for the recovery programme, liaising with Janet Goodwin on oral health education materials provided by the OHF and with Pam Swain, who asked for volunteer dental nurses from the BADN membership. Horizon volunteers, themselves in recovery, were also on hand to offer support to nervous patients.
Despite a couple of hiccups – fuses in the centre blew twice and the kettle and microwave had to be cannibalised to restore power to the mobile unit! - 47 patients were seen, including many who had been suffering long-term dental pain. One patient had five teeth extracted and a further 16 had at least one tooth removed. The team also provided scale and polishes, fillings, fluoride application for children and oral health advice. Several patients had not seen a dentist for several years, either because of access difficulties or because of previous difficult experiences.
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