Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) free dental (i) check-ups and (ii) treatment and (b) an increased level of access to (i) speech and language therapy, (ii) psychological support, (iii) ongoing dental rehabilitation and (iv) other NHS secondary care for mouth cancer patients .

Dentists and other dental professionals, including hygienists, routinely check the soft tissues of a patient’s mouth for signs of cancer during dental visits and as part of the check-up will make an assessment and record an individual’s oral cancer risk.

Dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Members of the public who are worried about their oral health in relation to cancer should seek advice from their dentist or general practitioner. Patients with symptoms of concern should be assessed and offered an urgent dental appointment based upon clinical need, in line with advice from NHS England.

The Government is working across the system to ensure that patients who have a diagnosis of cancer receive timely, safe and effective dental care. While a diagnosis of cancer does not qualify patients for free dental care and there are no current plans to extend the list of people eligible for free dental care, some cancer patients may qualify for an exemption of dental charges based on other factors. Support is also available through the National Health Service Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for a full exemption. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/

Where appropriate, every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including a needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing information and support. This includes provision of information, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. Personalised care ensures that each person’s care is planned holistically, covering mental and physical health as well as any practical or financial concerns. This can include speech and language therapy support if necessary. The NHS is supporting adults experiencing cancer with access to psychosocial support which can include NHS Talking Therapy services, which provide evidence-based psychological therapies for people with anxiety disorders and depression.