Dr Jeff Sherer, owner of numerous dental practices across Lincolnshire and the Humber region, has shared his concerns regarding the potential failure to diagnose oral cancer as a result of limited access to NHS dental services. He routinely refers one to two patients per week for potential oral cancer investigations. This concern is especially acute since many individuals living in Lincolnshire’s rural areas have difficulty in finding NHS dental practices taking on new patients. Given that close to 10,000 individuals were diagnosed with oral cancer in England last year, representing a surge of 37% over the past 10 years, it underscores the vital need for regular dental examinations. Dr Sherer cautions that marginalised patients’ inability to access these services may give rise to undetected medical conditions and potentially reduce their lifespan. Local health campaigners are advocating for more readily accessible screening events and improvements in dental services to bridge these gaps.
This article has been edited from its original form originally reported by www.bbc.com.
