Toothbrush Classes

Inmates would arrive at the prison after sentencing, in poor health. Some were held in a county jail for weeks before trial. The feds would pay the municipality a per diem during this holding period. There often was graft with this money. Few had toothbrushes. I found an old microscope in the pharmacy and special ordered quality natural bristled toothbrushes.

I sent out the word on the fast prison grapevine of a toothbrushing class which would give the inmate a break from work and a new toothbrush. Upon arrival at the dental clinic the inmate would brush his teeth at the sink. Next I would swipe a tooth with an instrument and transfer it to a slide, add a drop of blue phenol and have the inmate view the slide through the microscope. Seeing all the werbels got their attention so I could show them how to brush effectively.

Inmates would often arrive at the prison with a black, greasy comb sticking out of a back pocket, serve their time, then depart with a black, greasy comb AND a natural bristled toothbrush sticking out of a back pocket.