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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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Jane Husband, 67, attended the screening event to get a lump checked [BBC]<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jane Husband, who attended the screening event on 26 November to get a lump checked, said it was “so difficult to see a dentist”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A consultant dentist told her the lump was probably benign, but referred her for further investigations.<\/p>\n
Ms Husband said she found the screening “very reassuring” and would recommend it to others.<\/p>\n
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Michelle Harrison, 51, says free screening could be a life saver [BBC]<\/p>\n
Michelle Harrison from Bridlington said it was “impossible” to get an NHS dentist, but she sometimes visited a private practice.<\/p>\n
“I don’t go as often as I should do because it’s expensive,” she said.<\/p>\n
She was attracted to the free screening event because “you might not have any symptoms and they might see something you can’t see”.<\/p>\n
“It could save your life,” she added.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Early diagnosis significantly improves the survival rate,” he added. “Late diagnosis means that the chance of survival are sadly very, very poor.”<\/p>\n
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Consultant dentist Navneet Lad says people can do a basic check for oral cancer at home [BBC]<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
And she advised that any ulcers that had been there for a few weeks should be looked at by a professional.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Department of Health and Social Care was contacted for comment.<\/p>\n