Dentists give check-ups cancer warning

CASES of mouth cancer could be missed if plans to give some people check-ups only once every two years go ahead, dentists warn.

The move is part of the Scottish Government’s proposals on improving the nation’s oral health. But the British Dental Association (BDA) warns this could mean diseases are not spotted soon enough and are urging ministers not to put lives at risk in favour of ‘quick savings’.

David Cross, vice-chairman of the BDA’s Scottish council, said: ‘Dentists are on the front line of a battle against some the fastest rising cancers in Scotland.

‘Early detection is key but now risks becoming a casualty of a cost-cutting exercise.

‘People in otherwise good health are succumbing to this disease. Telling our “lower risk” patients to come back in two years will only handicap efforts to meet a growing threat, while putting further pressure on NHS cancer services.

‘Oral cancer now claims three times as many lives in Scotland as car accidents. Rather than chasing quick savings, we need to see concrete plans and real investment to help turn the tables on this devastating but preventable disease.’

A BDA Scotland study found 97 per cent of 206 dentists working across Scotland’s health boards said the reforms would put oral cancer detection at risk.

It will launch an action plan to combat oral cancers today at Holyrood.

The association welcomed the government’s Oral Health Improvement Plan (OHIP) but is concerned it will be funded by cuts to annual appointments for many supposedly ‘lower risk’ patients.

Survival rates from oral cancer are said to increase from 50 per cent to 90 per cent if it is detected early. BDA estimates the current cost of oral cancer treatment in Scotland is £67.3million.

The country has seen a 37 per cent increase in oral cancer deaths in the past decade, with rates of the disease among the highest in Europe. People in some of the most deprived communities are twice as likely to be diagnosed or die from the condition as those in more affluent areas.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar tabled a motion in parliament expressing concern over the potential impact of the OHIP.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Our plans will see patients with poor oral health or other risk factors seen more frequently than at present.

‘As part of our strategy for improving oral health and tackling oral cancer, the time between patient appointments will be determined by an assessment of each patient’s oral health.’