AN EVALUATION OF PRACTICE LEAFLETS PROVIDED BY GENERAL DENTAL PRACTITIONERS WORKING IN MULTIRACIAL AREAS

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the quality of information lea flets produced by NHS dental practices based in high density multi-rac ial areas within the city of Birmingham. Method All of the 41 general dental practices based in ten Birmingham electoral wards with high con centrations of ethnic minorities were approached for a copy of their p ractice leaflet. Each leaflet was assessed in terms of: 1. overall pre sentation, 2. general information, and 3. information specifically rel evant to the ethnic minorities. Results Seventy-eight per cent (32) of practices currently produce information leaflets. Compliance with spe cific NHS regulations ranged from 3% to 97%; 41% (13) of leaflets had one or more sections written in a minority language. Although ethnic m inority languages were spoken by staff in three-quarters of the practi ces, less than one third specified this. Only one leaflet contained in formation on arrangements for non-English speaking patients. Conclusio n. Recommendations are made concerning the quality and content of prac tice leaflets for practices based in high density multi-racial areas.