The Oral Health Foundation is calling on dental teams to support Mouth Cancer Action Month, its annual awareness campaign, which starts this Sunday and runs throughout November.
With more than 11,000 people now diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year, the charity is urging practices to make prevention, examination and patient education part of everyday care.
In England, cases have increased by 119% over the last 20 years, with similar upward trends across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As mouth cancer becomes more common, dental teams are increasingly likely to encounter patients affected by the disease, making routine examinations and informed patient conversations more important than ever.
Dr Cathie Brady, GDC-registered dentist and President-Elect of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “With more than 11,000 people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year, this campaign matters enormously. The Oral Health Foundation is doing vital work to help people recognise the warning signs, understand their risks and feel confident about getting checked.
“I am proud to support Mouth Cancer Action Month and would encourage every dental team to get involved this November. ‘Change is your sign’ is a simple message, but it can help people seek advice when it matters.”
The need for those conversations is clear. Almost six-in-ten (59%) do not know that dentists look for mouth cancer, while more than one-in-four (26%) say they have never discussed mouth cancer with their dentist.
Public knowledge of the disease also remains limited, with awareness of some major signs and symptoms as low as 20%, and awareness of some major risk factors as low as 8%.
“A patient may leave an appointment without realising you have checked for signs of mouth cancer,” Dr Brady adds.
“Simply saying, ‘I’m checking for any unusual changes in your mouth,’ opens the door to a conversation. Explain the findings and what patients should look out for between visits. We should also encourage patients to ask about the outcome of their mouth cancer examination at their next routine appointment.”
The Oral Health Foundation’s campaign message this year is, “Change is your sign: Remove the doubt, get checked out,” which encourages people to act on unusual changes in their mouth.
Throughout November, the charity is asking dental teams to reinforce the warning signs:
- A mouth ulcer that has not healed within three weeks.
- Red or white patches.
- Unusual lumps or swellings.
Explain that these changes do not necessarily mean cancer, but should be assessed by a dentist or doctor.
The campaign also provides an opportunity to strengthen conversations about tobacco and alcohol, offer practical advice and connect patients with cessation services and other appropriate support. Teams can also raise awareness of HPV vaccination and signpost eligible people to vaccination services.
“With awareness of some risk factors as low as 8%, there is a clear need to help patients understand what can increase their risk,” Dr Brady says.
“Keep those conversations supportive and practical. Ask about tobacco and alcohol use, explain why it matters and offer a clear next step. A referral to a local stop-smoking service can turn a brief conversation into meaningful support.”
Help make the campaign count throughout November
The Oral Health Foundation is encouraging practices to involve the whole team and choose activities they can deliver across the month:
- Brief staff. Hold a short team meeting on warning signs, responding to patient concerns and local referral and cessation pathways.
- Explain examinations. Tell patients when you are checking for signs of mouth cancer and use the opportunity to discuss symptoms and risks.
- Share campaign resources. Display posters, offer self-check advice sheets and use waiting-room screens, newsletters and social media to reinforce the message.
- Wear a blue ribbon. Give team members a Blue Ribbon Appeal enamel badge to show support and prompt conversations.
- Reach beyond the practice. Arrange an awareness session with a care home, homeless shelter or community group, or record a short educational video using #MouthCancerAction.
- Plan for Blue Wednesday. On Wednesday 18 November, wear blue, share self-check information or light up the practice in blue. Invite local landmarks and public buildings to join in and explain the campaign behind the display.
“Mouth Cancer Action Month begins this Sunday, but its message needs to reach patients throughout November and stay with them afterwards,” Dr Brady says.
“Let’s all get behind Blue Wednesday on 18 November. Wear blue, create a blue display in your practice and share information about the warning signs. These activities give us an opportunity to start conversations and help patients understand why getting checked matters.
“Every member of the dental team can contribute throughout November. Explain the examination, talk about the risks and encourage patients to seek advice about unusual changes. Change is your sign: Remove the doubt, get checked out.”
For resources and ideas for supporting the Oral Health Foundation’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, visit www.dentalhealth.org/mouthcancer.
