Plan to cut check-ups is given the brush off

PLANS to give patients dental check-ups just once every two years have been scrapped following an outcry from dentists.

Patients will continue to see their dentist once every six months following concerns that fewer check-ups would lead to cases of mouth cancer going undetected.

A Scottish Government oral health improvement plan had suggested that patients not deemed to be ‘at risk from oral disease’ could be seen once every 24 months.

But a survey by the British Dental Association (BDA) Scotland found 97 per cent of dentists said they were concerned this would undermine detection of oral cancers.

Dentists are often the first health professionals to detect oral cancers. In 2016, 1,240 people in Scotland were diagnosed with the condition.

Tom Ferris, the Scottish Government’s deputy chief dental officer, said: ‘We have not said 24 months. The research said it’s a possibility. We will have another period where we discuss with the profession.’

Patients with dental health problems could have check-ups as frequently as every three months.

Robert Donald, chairman of the BDA’s Scottish council, said: ‘We welcome assurances that 24-month dental recall intervals will not be introduced – and that high-risk patients will be seen more frequently than those in good oral health. It will be for the dentist and patient to jointly decide on the appropriate recall interval.

‘The Scottish Government has acknowledged publicly that we are right to raise our concerns on this issue. The profession will have a further period of discussion with government to explore these concerns and hopefully come to a sensible solution that does not put our patients’ lives at risk.

‘We believe that patients should ideally be seen every six months, and that “high-risk” patients should be seen more frequently.’

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, a former NHS dentist, said: ‘I know how vital it is that “high-risk” patients are seen more frequently than those who have good oral health. The BDA was right to raise concerns that an extension of recall intervals to 24 months could impact dentists’ ability to detect symptoms of oral cancers early.’

The Oral Health Improvement Plan, published earlier this year, outlines changes to be phased in

‘Detect symptoms of oral cancer early’

over the next few years. Scots will have an ‘oral health risk assessment’ where dentists carry out a full check and ask patients about ‘lifestyle choices’ such as diet, alcohol and smoking.

Patients will have a ‘personalised care plan’ aimed at preventing cancer, gum disease and decay. Those with dental health problems will receive more frequent check-ups, as often as three-monthly, if needed.

Other sweeping changes are outlined in the plan, including more ‘complex’ work for high street dentists – such as removing wisdom teeth, a procedure normally carried out in dental hospitals.

Dentists will also pay visits to the frail and elderly in their homes or care homes to carry out checks and even do fillings and extractions.