Peace of mind

Around 8,500 new cases of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer are diagnosed in the UK per year, with dentists playing a key role in the detection of any abnormalities. As oral cancers can present as visible lesions in the mouth, including on the tongue, palate, and inside lining of the cheeks, dentists are able to perform regular checks and make note of anything unusual. This might mean a mouth ulcer which doesn’t go away, a red or white patch, and unexplained pain or soreness in the mouth or throat. If a patient shows signs such as these, dentists are expected to make a note of their findings and take the appropriate action – such as arranging an urgent referral.

While dentists are well placed to check for these symptoms, they may not come across them often. As such, they may feel unsure about what they have seen, and whether they should refer their patient for further examinations. Because of this, dentists may worry that they have missed something important, or delayed their patient’s diagnosis.