Community Dental Services delivered free soft tissue mouth examinations for Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Community Dental Services CIC (CDS) has been providing free soft tissue examinations for its head office business neighbours at Colworth Park in Bedfordshire. Supporting Mouth Cancer Action Month, the examinations took place on one of CDS’s mobile dental clinics.

The CDS Team offered examinations on a drop-in basis in the fully equipped clinic. This provided the opportunity to raise awareness of mouth cancer and how to spot any early signs, which was well received by those who attended.

Glen Taylor, Chief Operating Officer who was one of the dentists involved in the initiative, said “Early diagnosis is vital for beating the disease, and this initiative was an excellent opportunity to focus on oral cancers and share important messages of being mouth aware to our neighbours at Colworth Park. In addition to the examinations, we provided advice on the symptoms and risks. Self-checks for mouth cancer are quick and raising public awareness of the signs can save more lives”.

Last year, 10,825 individuals in the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer: around 30 people per day. Screening is key to prevention and to allow early intervention. Tobacco use is the leading cause of mouth cancer, with excessive alcohol consumption also being a major risk factor; with those who smoke and drink being 30 times more likely to develop the disease. However up to 25% of mouth cancer cases have no associated significant risk factors. Sadly, last year 3637 people in the UK lost their life to Mouth Cancer.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness, educating, and promoting the early detection of mouth cancer as well as supporting those affected by it; and partners with the Oral Health Foundation to hold Mouth Cancer Action Month every November.