STIRLING, UK: A recent survey conducted by the British Dental Association (BDA) has found that a Scottish government initiative to potentially extend the time between dental appointments to 24 months has caused concern among Scottish dentists regarding possible delayed diagnosis of oral cancer.
Earlier this year, the Scottish government launched the Oral Health Improvement Plan, which outlines, among other things, a focus on improving prevention, reducing oral health inequalities, and meeting the needs of an ageing population. Though the BDA welcomed these ambitions, it expressed dismay that the plan recommends that certain patients with good oral health should only attend dental check-ups once every two years. A subsequent BDA survey of Scottish dentists found that 97 per cent of respondents are concerned that these extensions of recall intervals could undermine the detection of oral cancers, which 77 per cent regarded as a major or severe risk.
Scotland has seen a 37 per cent increase in oral cancer deaths over the past decade, and incidence rates are among the highest in Europe. Though it is primarily caused by smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus infections, oral cancer can also occur in individuals leading generally healthy lifestyles. Given that survival rates for oral cancer improve from 50 per cent to 90 per cent with early detection, regular check-ups are essential.
Dr David Cross, Vice Chair 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,” he continued.
“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,” Cross advised.
Tags:
CARDIFF, UK: Nearly half of people in Wales did not receive any treatment from NHS dentists over a two-year period, new statistics published by the Welsh ...
LONDON, UK: A new report, published last week by the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) and the Policy Institute at King’s College London in the UK,...
RUGBY, UK: A recently published survey undertaken by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has revealed that more than half of the UK workforce does ...
LONDON, UK: In light of the 2018 FIFA World Cup currently on in Russia, the British Dental Association (BDA) has cautioned that the unprecedented ...
LONDON – The organisers of the UK’s largest dental exhibition, the BDTA (British Dental Trade Association) Dental Showcase, hope to raise funds ...
LONDON, UK: Amid the political upheaval that has engulfed the UK in recent weeks, the British Dental Association has written an email to new Chancellor ...
LONDON & MANCHESTER, UK: The next edition of the British Dental Conference and Exhibition is set to return to Manchester this week. Being held again at ...
LONDON, UK: Recent data published by the UK government shows that an estimated one million new dental patients in England are unable to secure an NHS ...
LONDON, UK: The government is expected to gain tens of millions of pounds from dental practices owing to recent increases in charges, the British Dental ...
LONDON, UK: Two of the leading members of the British Dental Association (BDA) have been elected to serve in the FDI World Dental Federation at this ...
Live webinar
Fri. 19 July 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
11:00 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
5:30 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
2:00 pm UTC (London)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Thu. 29 August 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
10:00 am UTC (London)
To post a reply please login or register