A man whose oral cancer was spotted by a private dentist fears other cases will be missed because people are unable to find an NHS practice.

Reece Holland, from Bridlington, was eventually diagnosed with a rare tonsil cancer after paying for private treatment.

There are no dentists accepting new NHS patients in the seaside town at present, with the nearest about 11 miles (18km) away in Filey.

Dr Jeff Sherer, who owns dental practices in Lincolnshire and the Humber region, said he referred one or two patients a week for potential cases of oral cancer. He added: “When patients can’t access a dentist there is a real risk of undiagnosed cancer being able to continue.”

Mr Holland paid for a private check-up two years ago and was “shocked” to hear there was an unusual white patch.

Following the diagnosis, he had parts of his tonsils and his tongue removed, as well as 43 lymph nodes.

He said people who could not afford to pay to see a dentist would be going “under the radar”.

Nearly 10,000 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in England last year – an increase of 37% over the last 10 years, according to NHS England data analysed by the Oral Health Foundation.

Dr Sherer said: “There are a large number of marginalised patients who for whatever reason can’t access NHS dentistry and that’s what we’re really concerned about.

“The people who really need those check-ups are not able to have them and as a result their life expectancy can potentially be reduced.”

A dentist with glasses is wearing a fleece and a white face mask as well as blue disposable blue gloves. Another woman, wearing a light-green jacket and white jumper with red stripes, is lying back on a black chair. The dentist is using her hands to feel the woman's neck and throat.

Jane Husband, 67, attended the screening event to get a lump checked [BBC]

Last month, Mr Holland helped to promote a free oral cancer screening event in Bridlington, which is held annually, but said he would like to see more frequent free screenings.

Jane Husband, who attended the screening event on 26 November to get a lump checked, said it was “so difficult to see a dentist”.

Although she was registered with a surgery, she said there were long waits for appointments and hoped the screening would offer some peace of mind.

A consultant dentist told her the lump was probably benign, but referred her for further investigations.

Ms Husband said she found the screening “very reassuring” and would recommend it to others.

A woman with blond hair, tied back, smiles as she looks at the camera. She has blue-framed glasses on top of her head and is wearing a black winter coat. She is standing in a pedestrian high street in front of a store with a large white sign reading "Boyes" in blue letters and "for good value" in red letters.

Michelle Harrison, 51, says free screening could be a life saver [BBC]

Michelle Harrison from Bridlington said it was “impossible” to get an NHS dentist, but she sometimes visited a private practice.

“I don’t go as often as I should do because it’s expensive,” she said.

She was attracted to the free screening event because “you might not have any symptoms and they might see something you can’t see”.

“It could save your life,” she added.

Eddie Crouch, who chairs the British Dental Association (BDA), said opportunities to spot cancers at an early stage were being missed due to the number of people not seeing a dentist regularly.

Mr Crouch said 14 million people in England were looking for an NHS dentist and this made it “inevitable” that cases of oral cancer would be missed.

“Early diagnosis significantly improves the survival rate,” he added. “Late diagnosis means that the chance of survival are sadly very, very poor.”

A woman with dark grey hair wears a navy-blue fleece and round, brown-framed glasses as she stands in front of the back doors of a blue van. A logo on the van, partially obscured, reads: "How are you feeling today?". Within the van can be seen a first aid kit and a worksurface with some medical equipment on it.

Consultant dentist Navneet Lad says people can do a basic check for oral cancer at home [BBC]

Consultant dentist Navneet Lad, who led the screening session in Bridlington, said people who could not get access to a dentist could do checks at home.

“You can have a little feel at your neck for any lumps and bumps,” she said, adding that there should not be any unless when suffering from a cold.

And she advised that any ulcers that had been there for a few weeks should be looked at by a professional.

People who were unable to get an appointment with a dentist could see their GP, who would be able to refer potential oral cancer cases to specialists.

The Department of Health and Social Care was contacted for comment.

Last month, an NHS spokesperson told the BBC it was “determined to improve access to NHS dentistry”, including by providing 700,000 urgent appointments nationally.

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