A CORK dentist has warned of the dangers of oral cancer as Budget cutbacks bite into the public appetite for regular dental check-ups.
Mallow-based dental practitioner Dr John Barry – a former president of the Irish Dental Association – said he has dealt with four cases of oral cancer in the past four months, an extraordinarily high level of prevalence.
“Cancer of the mouth is far more common than people think and is most commonly detected by dentists carrying out routine check-ups,” Dr Barry said.
However, while PRSI covers the cost of basic treatment, people are wary of the cost of follow-up procedures and are less likely to visit the dentist regularly as a result, according to Dr Barry.
“Checking the mouth area is a form of screening against all types of oral cancer. However, as a result of cutbacks, the bread and butter system for those who paid their PRSI down through the years has been taken away and people are not going to the dentist now because they know they cannot afford the follow-up treatment,” Dr Barry said.
Smokers are particularly at risk from cancer of the mouth and the lip is a known risk area vulnerable to sun damage, but it is the various different tissues present in the mouth, including bone, soft tissue and muscle, that increases the likelihood of oral cancer.
“The tissue of the mouth comes into contact with such a high variety of substances. Hot and cold food, biting the tongue or even an ill-fitting denture can cause irritation and lead to mouth ulcers,” Dr Barry said.
Any ulcer that does not respond to treatment or is still present in the mouth after more than two weeks should be medically checked, according to Dr Barry.
“Round or raised spots or a red irritation in the mouth could be a sign of cancer. A dentist will refer patients to an oral surgeon or to the dental hospital for a biopsy and the cancer can be surgically removed.
“But if people are not visiting the dentist regularly, then these diagnoses cannot be made and the result is a public health issue,” Dr Barry said, advising that dental visits should be made every six to 12 months.