If your child has lost the referral letter for a Student Dental Centre appointment, HPB says the child can still attend. When the school dentist sent the referral, the centre can find the child’s records in its system.
Punggol parents should keep the existing appointment details and check the date, time and location. Losing the paper referral is a different problem from not having an appointment booked.
If you are unsure whether the referral came from the school dentist, clarify this with the centre before the visit. HPB’s reassurance specifically describes school-dentist referrals, so do not assume every external referral is handled in the same way.
In this guide
Does the missing letter mean we must cancel?
What should I check before attending?
What if no appointment was arranged?
CHAPTER 1 OF 5
Does the missing letter mean we must cancel?
The HPB missing dental referral FAQ says your child can still go to the Student Dental Centre appointment. It explains that school-dentist referral records can be retrieved.
Check your appointment confirmation rather than cancelling solely because the paper is missing. If another required document is also unavailable, ask the centre about that separately.
CHAPTER 2 OF 5
What should I check before attending?
Find the appointment message and confirm the child’s details, date, time and venue. Read the clinic’s instructions about what to bring.
Keep any information you still have about the referring school dental clinic. It can help you explain the referral history if you need assistance at registration.
CHAPTER 3 OF 5
What if no appointment was arranged?
HPB’s booking guide says a referral letter is not needed to book a dental appointment. Follow the official booking process and wait for the SMS confirmation.
Do not arrive expecting an appointment merely because a school dentist discussed a referral. Establish the actual booking before arranging the journey.
CHAPTER 4 OF 5
Who can help with dental-care arrangements?
HPB’s dental-care guide recommends the school dental clinic as the first option for primary and secondary pupils and explains alternatives when it is closed.
Use the contact details in the official guidance to clarify the appropriate service. Ask about the specific appointment or referral issue rather than assuming all dental clinics share the same booking records.
CHAPTER 5 OF 5
How can we organise the school day?
For a confirmed visit, plan the journey from Punggol and tell the school if attendance or collection will be affected. Confirm who will accompany the child.
Keep the appointment confirmation and follow-up instructions in one place afterwards. A simple record helps the family manage the next visit even if a printed letter is misplaced again.
Information checked on 11 October 2026. Follow HPB’s current instructions and the guidance given for your child’s screening or appointment.
