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Dentistry: Access for Cancer Patients
17 April 2024
Lead MP
Andrew Western
Stretford and Urmston
Lab
Responding Minister
Andrea Leadsom
Tags
NHSEmploymentChildren & Families
Word Count: 8589
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Andrew Western raised concerns about dentistry: access for cancer patients in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks for free dental care for cancer patients for five years from diagnosis or until end of life if terminal, prioritisation of NHS dentistry for cancer patients, and clear guidance on the need for dental care provided at first point of contact with their GP or cancer team. The MP also invites the Minister to discuss these issues in greater detail. I appreciate the Minister's offer of a meeting but suggest that while dealing with information is important, it does not address the core issue of ensuring cancer patients have access to dental treatment. I will raise other issues in the upcoming meeting with the Minister.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Michele Solak-Edwards's experience with deteriorating dental health during chemotherapy highlights the common yet rarely discussed side effects of cancer treatment. Despite free prescriptions for other physical side effects, dental treatment costs are overwhelming for many patients. The petition Michele set up has gathered over 190,000 signatures and is backed by professionals in dentistry, surgery, and oncology, emphasizing the link between cancer and dental health issues. Existing dental problems can worsen during cancer treatment, impacting treatment effectiveness or leading to delays. I am concerned about the considerable issues facing those seeking to access dentistry, specifically focusing on cancer patients who experience dental problems as a direct result of their treatments. I noted my gratitude towards colleagues for contributing to the debate with expertise, such as the contributions from Yasmin Qureshi and Preet Kaur Gill.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Described the success of NHS dental access in Scotland, noting that more than 95% of the population is registered with an NHS dentist. She highlighted initiatives such as a new dental school and incentives for trainee dentists to work in underserved areas, including a £37,000 golden hello package over three years. Blackman also mentioned challenges posed by Brexit and the importance of person-centred approaches to support cancer patients. Made a brief intervention without specific statistics or policy requests.
Birmingham Erdington
Mrs. Hamilton highlighted the difficulties in accessing NHS dentistry for cancer patients, mentioning that more than 100,000 people live in her constituency with only seven dental surgeries available and at least three not accepting new adult patients. She cited a case of a constituent suffering from an abscess due to lack of access to a dentist. Additionally, she noted that nearly a quarter of respondents delayed or went without dental treatment due to affordability issues.
Preet Kaur Gill
Lab Co-op
Birmingham Edgbaston
Critiqued the current state of NHS dentistry as Dickensian, highlighting how cancer patients face significant oral health issues due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Raised concerns over patient access to dental care with eight in 10 practices not taking on new adult NHS patients. Cited statistics from Macmillan Cancer Support indicating four in five cancer patients incur an average monthly cost of £570 as a result of their illness, exacerbating the financial burden. Questioned whether the Department had estimated the impact of the access crisis on cancer patients and survivors.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Mr Foord highlighted the challenges faced by his constituents in accessing NHS dentistry, particularly those living with cancer. He shared a personal story of Robin Whatling from Tiverton who was struggling to find an NHS dentist due to his advanced cancer diagnosis and the weakening of his bones and teeth from treatment. The couple's inability to afford private dental care led to a painful situation where Robin had to remove one of his own affected teeth at home. Mr Foord cited statistics from the British Dental Association, indicating that oral cancer is among the fastest-growing types of cancer in the UK with survival rates significantly higher if diagnosed early by dentists. He argued that NHS dentistry is in crisis due to a £1 billion cut in real terms since the Conservatives came into power. Asked the Minister if the low uptake of dental activity units in Devon is a workforce issue.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Dentistry is in crisis across the country, affecting patients with cancer. The author cited instances of individuals who could not afford necessary dental treatments due to financial constraints. She highlighted that even though pregnant women and new mothers are entitled to free NHS dentistry, over 1.2 million missed out on this entitlement as they were unable to access an NHS dentist in the last three years. Additionally, she noted a significant decline in the number of dentists within the NHS and a reduction in practices accepting new adult patients. Questioned the Minister about dentists returning unused NHS appointments due to financial unsustainability.
Government Response
Andrea Leadsom
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. I congratulate the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Andrew Western) on securing this really important debate on behalf of Michele and all the other petitioners. I would be delighted to meet Michele to hear her views and take note of her call for all cancer patients to be advised of the potential impact of cancer treatment on their oral health. I pay tribute to charities like Mouth Cancer Foundation, Oral Health Foundation, and Dentaid.
I thank all Members who have spoken in this debate. In response to challenges raised by the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Richard Foord) regarding Devon's dental services, I confirm that a mobile dental van will be forthcoming soon for underserved areas. The Minister also highlighted SMILE4LIFE as part of the dental recovery plan, focusing on early years intervention, including prenatal oral health checks and promoting good oral hygiene habits in young children.
The Government have taken several steps to improve access to dentistry since February 2023, such as creating around 2.5 million additional NHS appointments, increasing the minimum value of a unit of dental activity to £28, and bringing dental care to isolated communities through mobile plans. There are also efforts to increase the workforce with more training places for dentists, therapists, and hygienists by 2031-32.
Regarding cancer patients' access to NHS dentistry, the Minister acknowledged that while only about 40% to 50% of adults have ever received NHS dental care in England since 1948, cancer patients are supported through full or partial exemptions from dental charges under the NHS low income scheme. Despite inflationary pressures, dentistry charges were frozen between December 2020 and April 2023.
The Minister committed to publishing new guidance for integrated care boards (ICBs) making it clear they must commission additional services in their local area when identifying problems such as cancer patients unable to access timely treatment. Along with these measures, the Ministry is consulting on dental contract reform to improve access and capacity.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.