Simplyhealth Survey suggests confusion around healthcare and dental plans as up to 84% overestimate monthly cost

The subscription economy is booming, with almost four out of five (79%) adults in the UK signed up to at least one, spending on average £475 a year. Yet, while 96% of people say they are now focused on their holistic health, only 13% reported paying monthly for health benefits that could help them with everyday wellness, according to a recent survey conducted by Simplyhealth.

As one of the UK’s leading health solutions companies, Simplyhealth carried out the survey of 2000 people, aged between 16 and 82, to investigate how Covid-19 has impacted views on mental and physical health, subscriptions and spending habits.1 Findings suggest that the popularity of paying monthly for services and products is here to stay, with 1 in 5 (22%) admitting to signing up to even more during the pandemic. This upward trend was particularly prevalent in younger age groups, with almost a third (31%) of 16-44-year-olds increasing their subscription services as opposed to just 13% of those over 55.

Most popular – and where most money is spent – is entertainment; half (50%) of respondents reported paying monthly for video streaming services, followed by music and audio streaming (27%). Furthermore, 18% of people reported having food, drink and beauty subscriptions. Yet, only 13% of people reported paying monthly for life insurance, or a health or dental plan that could help them with everyday wellness, and just 12% said that they had subscriptions for fitness or wellbeing apps.

A focus on health

This is surprising given that 96% of survey respondents stated they remain focused on their holistic health, with almost half saying that the pandemic has made them care more about both their mental and physical wellbeing (44% and 45%, respectively). Again, this trend was noticeably higher in younger age groups – 53% of 16-24-year-olds said they now care more about their mental health, dropping to 37% in the 55+ category. However, the survey also showed that while 63% believed that they were aware or very aware of the benefits of health and dental plans, 45% overestimated how much dental plans can cost and 84% overestimated how much health plans can cost – some by more than 10 times as much.

Commenting on these findings, Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth, says: “Covid-19 has made us reassess many things we previously took for granted, drastically reshaping the agenda around health and wellness. It’s encouraging to see that so many people, particularly those in younger age groups, are remaining focused on their overall health, but it’s surprising that relatively few pay monthly premiums for plans that can help support and maintain this. In fact, in our experience, healthcare plans can really benefit younger, working adults with busy lives who value the convenience and cost certainty they provide.

“Our survey suggests that there are misunderstandings around healthcare plans, in terms of both costs and benefits. Rather than cover for medical conditions, health plans are designed to provide fast, accessible support for everyday health concerns. Looking after your wellbeing isn’t always easy at the moment, so it’s really important that people are fully aware of the different options open to them and their families, and the benefits these can provide.”

For more information on the results from the survey, including more information on health and dental plans, visit Simplyhealth’s blog: www.simplyhealth.co.uk/subscriptions-and-your-health

Denplan launches a new series of Expert Network webinars

Denplan has launched its Denplan Expert Network  webinar series which will include a total of 8 evening sessions from 7-8pm up until the end of September. All webinars will also be made available to view on demand. The webinars are an opportunity for all dentists to learn from and collaborate with four different specialist advisors – all with extensive knowledge and experience of the dental sector. 

The webinar series targets the core business areas that Denplan dentists told us would have the widest level of training appeal to them.  The four most popular non-clinical training areas revealed by the Denplan survey were; legal aspects of being in practice (56%), managing dentists’ own pensions (51%), HR and employee wellbeing advice (48%) and Accounts and Tax (46%)[1].

The webinars will cover the following topics:

  • How to plan effectively for retirement (Chase de Vere)
  • Dental market evaluation summer 2021 (Lily Head)
  • An insight into the different ways of contracting with individuals (Knights plc)
  • Tax implications and employee benefits (Lovewell Blake)
  • How to maximise your practice value (Lily Head)
  • Managing your personal finances (Chase de Vere)
  • Exit strategies (Chase de Vere)
  • Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace (Knights plc)

Dr Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, says: “Over many years, Denplan has built up a network of connections with professional firms who operate within the dental sector. The value they can bring to a dental practice, in terms of practical business advice, derives from their sharp focus on the dental industry.  After conducting some in depth research with our membership, we identified a clear need for more training in the areas of legal, tax, HR and employee wellbeing advice, and planning for retirement.  I’m delighted we are able to bring these expert partners together for a series of virtual events where I’m sure dentists will feel informed and engaged by the topics covered and will welcome the chance to ask practical questions on real and current practice and business challenges.”

Dentists can sign up and view the full programme and dates at DEN Webinars.  Further information can be obtained by emailing eventsandtraining@simplyhealth.co.uk.

[1] Dentists were asked to rate their interest in learning more about a range of topics proposed by partners and training and about their preferred learning method. Nov – Dec 2020; 215 responses from dentists. 

Simplyhealth Partners With McFly’s Harry Judd, Backing Campaign To Highlight The Role of Nature In Managing Mental Wellbeing

  • The musician and mental health champion has teamed up with Denplan’s parent company, Simplyhealth, and the Mental Health Foundation to embrace the mental wellbeing benefits of the natural world.
  • To inspire the nation to ‘Take a Breath’, they have created a free downloadable e-book, packed full of ideas and activities to connect with nature.
  • For each copy downloaded, Simplyhealth will donate £5 to the Mental Health Foundation.

Simplyhealth, Denplan’s parent company, has partnered with McFly musician, Harry Judd, and the Mental Health Foundation on a new campaign to shine a light on how connecting with the natural world can support our mental wellbeing.

The Take A Breath campaign – launched during Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 – will see Simplyhealth provide the nation with the tools and resources to better understand their mental wellbeing and embrace the positive benefits of nature on their psychological and emotional health.

Mental ill health on the rise

Unfortunately, mental ill health is common, with rates of anxiety and depression on the rise. This has been amplified by the ongoing pandemic, which has dramatically changed the way we work, live and socialise. For instance, a survey undertaken by Simplyhealth in 2020 revealed that 42% of UK adults felt their mental health had suffered since the outbreak of Covid-19[i].

However, there is an abundance of research which shows that the natural world plays a significant role in supporting mental health, from reducing stress and easing anxiety to increasing positivity and inspiring creativity.

New downloadable ‘Take a Breath’ e-book

To help people to look after their mental health, Simplyhealth, in collaboration with Harry Judd and the Mental Health Foundation, has created a new e-book titled ‘Take A Breath’, which is packed full of ideas, exercises and activities to inspire readers to connect with nature.

The e-book is free to download from the Simplyhealth website and includes personal anecdotes and advice from mental health champion Harry Judd, as well as insight from the Mental Health Foundation into the link between nature and wellbeing.

For each download of the e-book, Simplyhealth will donate to the Blue Prescribing Project, a joint project between the Mental Health Foundation and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. This initiative aims to tackle poor mental health through hands-on nature-based activities, and will see 300 people needing mental health intervention given access to wetlands nature.

Harry Judd, musician and Simplyhealth partner says“I’ve suffered with OCD and anxiety throughout my adult life, to the point that I was frightened to even leave my house. In those moments, I felt scared to share how I was feeling. Anxiety can be so isolating and sometimes makes you lose yourself. When I finally found the courage to reach out and ask for help, I felt so relieved – it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. 

“It’s easy to forget that our mental wellbeing is every bit as important as our physical health. If you break a bone, you seek medical help, yet many people are hesitant to ask for support with their mental wellbeing. I completely understand the courage it takes to speak up but reaching out for help was the best thing I ever did.

“Embracing fitness and the outdoors has also been a fundamental part of my personal mental health battle. Whether it is in the park, at the beach or in the garden, I believe that spending time in nature, embracing the fresh air and getting our bodies moving can benefit our mental wellbeing and redress the balance in our lives.

“I’m supporting Simplyhealth’s Take A Breath campaign as I want to help others who may be going through similar experiences with their mental health. As part of the e-book, I’ve created a nature-inspired activity checklist with the hope of giving people some everyday ideas for making the most of nature and the great outdoors.”

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan says: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing isn’t always easy. However, there are actions we can take to help maintain balance, and a vast body of research supports the idea that spending quality time in and around nature reduces stress and increases feelings of positivity.

“Through the Take A Breath campaign, we hope to provide information, activities and tips that are fun and inspirational. Our aim is to encourage people to experiment with what works for them and their circumstances. It’s time to seize the power of nature and take a step – however small – to nurture and protect our mental wellbeing.”

Mark Rowland, CEO at the Mental Health Foundation says: “Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it is almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world.

“At the Mental Health Foundation, we know that by working with organisations like Simplyhealth, we can reach more people to help them experience the benefits of our natural surroundings. With the challenges of the last year, there could not be a more important time to understand the links between nature and mental health.”

How Simplyhealth can help

The way people think and, more importantly, talk about mental health has changed for the better, but too many people still suffer in silence. For instance, 1 in 4 will be affected by a mental illness, yet almost two-thirds will never seek help[ii]

Through its healthcare plans, Simplyhealth offers access to 24/7 online GP, physio, counselling and advice, in addition to coverage for a variety of everyday health and wellbeing needs, from £7.50 per month. The free to use SimplyMe app is also a great tool for tracking mental and physical wellbeing. With daily mood and emotional health check ins, it shows users how to make simple changes to their normal routine that will support their overall wellbeing in the long term.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Simplyhealth will donate a further £5 to the Mental Health Foundation for every 20 minute walk that is recorded on the SimplyMe app.

To find out more about Denplan, visit www.denplan.co.uk or click here to download the Take A Breath e-book.

The SimplyMe app is available to download via the App Store or Google Play store.

The mental health of the dental profession should be protected

Denplan carried out a survey with member dentists to delve deeper into the issues affecting the dental profession after this turbulent year. Following a roundtable discussion in February, a white paper with key recommendations on how the Government should support our industry has now been published. Mental health and wellbeing is one of the main topics raised

Never has our profession been under more pressure. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed – and in many cases exacerbated – the issues facing mixed and private dental practices across the UK.

I’ve been working with various dental colleagues to explore the impact of COVID-19 on our profession. Our recent Denplan member survey raised a variety of issues facing the profession including concerns about financial stability, capacity to meet demand, and professional development and morale.

Poor mental health and wellbeing has long been an ongoing issue in the dental sector and we are very concerned that it has been deteriorating across the profession for a number of years. Mental health formed a large part of our most recent roundtable discussions that I chaired alongside industry leaders in February.  As a result of these discussions and research, Denplan has produced a white paper with 14 recommendations for the dental sector, which we urge policymakers to implement as soon as is practically possible.

Protecting our mental health by safeguarding our profession and ensuring the workforce is resilient, supported and engaged is a huge part of this work.

Mental health impact status quo

Our membership survey showed 35 per cent selected mental health and wellbeing challenges caused by managing a practice during COVID-19 as the challenge they are most concerned about in the next 12 months. Looking ahead, 42 per cent saw mental health and wellbeing as the most significant challenges facing the dental sector in the coming year (non-COVID related)[1].

This is something that needs to be addressed urgently, not only because stress and anxiety are harmful to dental professionals themselves, but also because such issues might impact negatively on patient outcomes.

Over the past few years the BDA has also carried out various qualitative research studies to understand more about mental health issues within the profession. In 2017, the association identified feelings of stress, experiences of burnout, and anxiety as the top three welfare issues facing dentists, which were caused by the top three following factors: their working conditions and environment, the fact that dentists normally work alone, and the pressure of meeting tough NHS and UDA targets.[2]

Our Denplan members report similar concerns and, indeed, the pressure on dental professionals is immense. During lockdown we supported Denplan members and their practice teams by giving them access to our GP and employee assistance programme providing vital support during the crisis that took a real toll on mental health.

Historically dental teams work very long hours, often seeing patients for early morning, late evening and weekend appointments. They also usually work in isolated conditions in single rooms, and so it can be a lonely profession. All of which contribute to the strain on mental health and wellbeing.

COVID-19 has worsened mental health

Over the last year practice teams have worked hard to meet patient care needs and carry out treatments under challenging circumstances. However, recent events and difficult pandemic working conditions have resulted in mental health strains and deteriorating morale across dental teams, exacerbating existing pressures on dentists and their dental teams.

As a result of the pandemic dental practices were forced to close for many months last year and are still operating at a reduced capacity, which has had significant financial consequences for dentists and caused them stress about how to meet the backlog. Compounding these worries are the additional restrictions and regulations that have been imposed on the industry as a result of the virus, which dental professionals now have to navigate amid uncertainty. Both have placed additional stress onto dentists and caused a higher rate of burnout.

A survey of dental practitioners carried out by Dental Protection last year found that, since the start of the pandemic, 45% of UK dentists feel their mental wellbeing has deteriorated, while almost half feel pessimistic about the future (48%).[3]

The research found that dental professionals said the main factor affecting their mental wellbeing was the health of their family and friends, followed by financial worries, and then adapting to new policies and guidance. Worryingly, a third (33%) of dentists also said they had experienced verbal or physical abuse from patients or patients’ relatives – largely due to not being able to offer an appointment soon enough.[4]

Since March last year, the BDA has also reported that they have experienced a surge in dentists accessing their Health Assured support service, with the majority citing anxiety, employment, work-related stress, low mood and work-related demands as their reasons for getting in touch.[5]

While many practices have provided good support and mentoring throughout the pandemic, there remain some, particularly in the cases of associates and dental nurses, who are feeling the pressures of the pandemic environment acutely.

Many of these team members were furloughed towards the beginning of the pandemic, resulting in a loss of income and increased anxiety about the future. For many of those who weren’t furloughed, the risk they faced of contracting COVID-19 from patients caused concern and anxiety.

Therefore, there’s an urgent need for policymakers to work with the sector to ensure that the whole dental workforce is resilient, supported and engaged.

The next generation

While the concerns that we have outlined above affect current dentists, Denplan’s white paper also sets out a further set of issues that are affecting the wellbeing of the next generation of dentists.

Dental students typically treat over 400,000 volunteer patients each year but, as a result of the pandemic, were unable to treat patients several months over the last year. Current students at dental schools have therefore lost a considerable amount of clinical time and the crucial opportunity to build their clinical experience of a range of more complex procedures.

Consequently, this is likely to impact on their understanding of and confidence in dentistry and could result in them feeling disillusioned and frustrated with the profession.

Mental health episodes on The Dental Podcast
In a fantastic two-parter, Catherine Rutland speaks with Dr Mahrukh Khwaja, who is the founder and CEO of Mind Ninja where they discuss a huge range of factors affecting the mental health and wellbeing of dental practitioners.
Part 1 – bit.ly/3tyaAkB
Part 2 – bit.ly/3sjeQTp
The Dental podcast be found on all major Podcast Apps, and on Smart Speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

Optimism does lie ahead

With all this in mind, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future. Dentists are hard-working dedicated professionals, who want the best for their patients. They are embracing technology and they want to learn new skills and undertake training to continue to develop.

Furthermore, the vast majority of our member dentists (88%) we surveyed said that they do find clinical dentistry rewarding, with only 6% saying that they don’t.[6]

The onus should therefore be on policymakers to properly support dental professionals to do their jobs and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The Government must work with our sector to safeguard the profession and ensure the workforce is resilient, supported and engaged. This must include increasing the numbers of placements, boosting financial support for dental students, and strengthening training and professional development that is available to dentists throughout their career.

To read Denplan’s White Paper visit: https://www.denplan.co.uk/news/dentists-blog/denplan-white-paper.

References:

[1] Denplan member dentist survey, fieldwork carried out 1st-20th October 2020, 384 members surveyed.

[2] BDA, ‘The Mental Health and Well-being of UK Dentists: A Qualitative Study’, Aug 2017

[3] Dental Protection, ‘Covid-19: Half of UK dentists feel pessimistic about the future’, Nov 2020

[4] Ibid

[5] BDA, ‘The dental profession’s mental health crisis’, Sep 2020

[6] Denplan member dentist survey, fieldwork carried out 1st-20th October 2020, 384 members surveyed.

About the Author: Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director of Denplan, part of Simplyhealth.

Denplan publishes white paper on the future of dentistry

Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, the UK’s leading dental plan specialist, has today published a white paper on the future of dentistry.  This marks the culmination of months of in-depth research into the issues impacting private dentistry. The report includes insights from a survey Denplan conducted with its member dentists and wide-ranging discussions between leading oral health experts and dental professionals at Denplan’s virtual roundtable in February.

This report covers a wide range of issues that Denplan wants to highlight and put on the agenda of government, policy makers and the wider dental profession. Using Denplan’s extensive experience and clinical knowledge, as a leading voice of private dentistry in the UK, the white paper explores the five key areas of challenges and opportunities facing the private dental sector (including mixed, NHS and private practices) over the coming 12 months and beyond, including:

  • The understanding of private dentistry
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the sector
  • Oral health and its impact on general health
  • Innovation in the sector
  • The dental profession: workforce, mental health, professional development

The report also makes a series of 14 recommendations to government to help address these matters and improve the nation’s oral health.

Commenting on the white paper, Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth said: “Denplan’s white paper is an important and exciting opportunity to place private dentistry at the forefront of the debate about the future of healthcare and ensure the voice of private dental practices is heard.

“The Government needs to play a more active role in communicating to the public the importance of dental hygiene and routine check-ups in maintaining oral health, during the pandemic and beyond. Whilst there has been an increase in demand for urgent and emergency care, there has been a significant drop in patients attending routine dentistry due to stay at home restrictions. This will serve to grow the backlog of demand dentists need to meet in the next 12 months. 

“The right thing to do is to support the profession and for the Government to recognise the specific impact of Covid-19 on private dentistry and its potential impact on patient’s oral care.  We would like the Government to recognise the role played by private dentists in tackling the current backlog of cases.”

The publication of Denplan’s white paper comes at an interesting juncture for the dental profession and oral healthcare. The recent publication of the Government’s white paper Integration and Innovation, combined with the impact of Covid-19 on the health system, means that how healthcare is delivered and accessed is changing.

Largely absent from these discussions has been the role of dentistry. Based in local communities, with regular patient contact and possessing extensive clinical experience, dental practices have the potential to be an integral part of delivering a preventive model of healthcare to meet the needs of a changing population and society post-Covid. But this narrative is largely missing from current discussions in Westminster and Whitehall.

Denplan chairs policy roundtable on the future of dentistry

Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, held an inaugural virtual dental policy roundtable on the 23rd February to discuss the future of dentistry and the issues impacting the dental profession. The event was attended by a group of clinicians, academics and policymakers from different areas of the profession to share their knowledge and experience of dentistry in the current climate.

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth, chaired the event and was joined by Professor Avijit Banerjee of Kings College London, Sir Paul Beresford, Conservative MP for Mole Valley, Dr John Makin of the Dental Defence Union, Dr John Milne of the CQC, Dr Hannah Woolnough of Parkview Dental Centre, Dr Lauren Harrhy of Sparkle Dental Centre, Dr Ian Mills of General Dental Practitioners, and Dr Raj Rattan MBE, Dental Director at Dental Protection, Medical Protection Society.

With over 19 million dental appointments lost over the course of 2020[1], and Denplan’s dentist member survey revealing that nearly 70%[2] said that they felt politicians and decision makers in government didn’t sufficiently understand the dentistry sector, Denplan’s roundtable comes at an opportune moment.  

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has exposed – and in many cases exacerbated – the issues facing mixed and private dental practices across the UK. We all know from first-hand experience, that over the last 12 months practice teams have done tremendous work in meeting patient care needs and carrying out treatments under challenging circumstances.

“However, given the large patient backlogs and the spotlight currently on dentistry, combined with the recent publication of the Department of Health and Social Care’s White paper on the future of healthcare, now is the window of opportunity for members of the dental profession, to make their voices heard and influence the policy agenda for the dental sector.” 

The roundtable addressed a range of issues including the mental health and the wellbeing of dental teams as well as training the next generation of dentists and dental nurses. Also discussed were innovations such as how digital technology is shaping the delivery of dental care, and how oral health needs to find its rightful place in the sphere of general healthcare. Thoughts were also given as to how the dental profession will transition to a post-Covid world.

Spotlight on mental health for dental teams

The difficult pandemic working conditions over the past year, combined with fast paced changes in regulations for practices, have resulted in mental health strains and deteriorating morale across dental teams. Dental teams have also had to contend with taking on a certain level of risk of contracting the virus in their frontline roles.

While many practices have provided good support and mentoring throughout the pandemic, in the cases of associates and dental nurses, there are indications they are feeling the pressures of the pandemic environment acutely. This has been compounded by the fact that some dentists have suffered from a lack of support network in certain aspects.

Recruitment and retention of dental staff

Although the backlog in dental procedures has placed practices and dental teams under immense strain, it was stated that there is also an opportunity to reshape the way we deliver dentistry to meet this challenge and allow wider practice teams the opportunity to step up as they have done throughout the pandemic. Dental nurses, hygienists, and therapists perhaps have a larger role to play in the delivery of dental care as work to clear procedure backlogs, patient demand for cosmetic treatments increase and the focus of public health policy shifts towards a more preventive approach to oral health. 

The Roundtable also highlighted the pandemic has led to a large spike in interest as nursing as a profession and it was suggested the dental sector should be taking advantage of this opportunity to recruit young people.

Technology in clinical dentistry

The increasing usage of digital technology within dentistry formed a key part of the roundtable discussion. With Denplan’s member research showing that 1 in 4 practices are providing virtual consultations and 1 in 5 using digital impressions, and 1 in 7 employing computer aided design and milling for indirect replacements[3], digital tech in dentistry is following the same path as the wider healthcare sector with telemedicine, monitoring and diagnostics increasingly becoming the norm.

Members of the roundtable echoed the view of many in the profession that there is great potential in digital technology to help facilitate a more person-centred approach to dentistry that moves beyond the physical confines of the dental chair to enable better dispensation of oral health advice, monitoring of chronic conditions and post-surgery check-ups.

One note of caution was that technology should be viewed as an enabler, not a solution.

Lobbying for the future of the profession

As the difficulties and challenges continue for the dental sector, Denplan is optimistic about the power of the collective voice of the dental profession in raising these common themes and bringing them to the immediate attention of MP’s and policymakers. Denplan is set to play an integral part to lobby for the future of the profession and Denplan will be publishing its own white paper on the future of dentistry.

References:

1 British Dental Association https://www.bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/dentists-government-holds-the-key-to-restore-services-to-millions

2 Denplan member dentist survey, fieldwork carried out 1st-20th October 2020, 384 members surveyed.

3 Denplan member dentist survey, fieldwork carried out 1st-20th October 2020, 384 members surveyed.

‘Giving up wasn’t an option’ says wife and mother who battled mouth cancer

Sarah Davies (46) was set to celebrate her 40th birthday when her life took an unexpected turn that would change her life forever.

The wife and mother-of-one from Coventry began to feel some pain in the left side of her gum, just below one of her back teeth.  She thought it was just a mouth ulcer, but something was odd about it.

“At first, I didn’t think much of it and carried on with my everyday life,” Sarah says.

“It didn’t feel like a normal mouth ulcer though, sometimes it would send a feeling like an electric shock through the left side of my face.”

One month later, when the pain and inflammation did not go away, Sarah booked an appointment with her dentist.

The dentist treated the tooth above the inflammation with a filling.  When the problem continued, Sarah visited another dentist who suspected it was sinusitis.

It would be another nine months, after several dental visits and a last-ditch trip to A&E, that Sarah was finally given the diagnosis of mouth cancer.

Sarah says: “The doctor told me that they had results from my biopsy back and they had found malignant cells.  From what they could tell, the tumour was 20mm long and was squished up against the gum.”

Despite several knock-backs, Sarah’s persistence meant that she was able to catch her cancer in the early stages.

This gave Sarah the very best chance of beating the disease.

Sarah received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy and was given the all clear five years ago.

Despite surviving mouth cancer, Sarah continues to live with the after effects that impact her life to this day.

Sarah adds: “Following my treatment, I developed trismus, also called lockjaw, which has impacted my life dramatically.  I am only able to open my jaw a matter of millimetres so eating with a knife and fork is tricky and it takes me a long time to eat my meals.

“When going out with friends and family I usually order kids meals so that people aren’t waiting around for too long and if I want a drink, I have to do it through a straw.”

As is common with many mouth cancer survivors, Sarah’s taste buds and salivary glands were also affected, taking some of the joy out of eating and making swallowing more difficult.

Despite the setbacks Sarah has always kept a positive attitude.  She admits to still having her down days when she feels frustrated or depressed but her friends, family as well as support from Macmillan nurses keep her going.

Sarah adds: “Some friends have commented that I’m amazing for having the attitude that I have but I don’t think of myself that way.  When you’re dealt something, you’ve got to face it.  I’ve got an incredible family and friends who’ve supported me through it all.

“The way I look at it is that you’ve got two choices; do what has to be done or give up. Giving up isn’t an option.”

Sarah is sharing her journey to raise awareness during November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.

The charity campaign, run by the Oral Health Foundation, hopes to encourage more people to be mouthaware by being able to recognise the early signs and symptoms associated with mouth cancer.

Mouth cancer can appear as a long-lasting mouth ulcer that does not go away for three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth, or any lumps and swellings in the head or neck.  

During Mouth Cancer Action Month, the Oral Health Foundation and Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, have come together to raise awareness of the disease so that more people can beat it like Sarah.

Sarah admits that her knowledge of mouth cancer was poor before her diagnosis and hopes to inspire more people to learn about the disease, so they can spot it early.

Sarah says: “I didn’t really know about mouth cancer until I had it.  Then I started to look into it and realised just how many people it does impact. I will do anything to help make more people aware because the sooner mouth cancer is treated, the better your chances.

“If you think something isn’t right in your mouth then go and get it checked out.  It probably is nothing to worry about but it’s important you don’t ignore it.  I would also say that if you aren’t satisfied with the diagnosis you receive then go get a second opinion from another dentist or doctor.”

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, agrees and also notes how catching mouth cancer early can greatly increase your chances of survival and a better quality of life.

Dr Rutland says: “If mouth cancer is spotted early, the chances of a complete cure are good.  Around 2,702 people in the United Kingdom lose their life to mouth cancer every year.  That’s seven people every day. It is widely recognised that many of these deaths could be prevented by early diagnosis. Early detection is by far the most important factor, as the stage at which mouth cancer is diagnosed has the most significant effect on overall survival as mouth (and throat) cancer can grow very quickly.

“Encouraging patients to attend regular dental examinations, carry out self-checks, and become familiar with the normal state of their mouth (and head and neck) is very important. To help raise patient awareness of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer, the Oral Health Foundation have developed a range of excellent patient education resources available on their website.”

Most mouth cancer appear on the tongue or tonsils, but it can also occur on the lips, gums, roof and floor of the mouth.

Last year, new mouth cancer cases in the UK reached a record high of 8,722 – an increase of 97% compared to 20 years ago.

The key to beating mouth cancer is spotting it early.  If you notice any of the symptoms associated with mouth cancer, visit a dentist or doctor immediately.

For more information about mouth cancer, including how to do a self-check for the disease, visit www.mouthcancer.org.

New data reveals most people do not know the symptoms associated with mouth cancer despite record number of cases

Cases of mouth cancer in the United Kingdom have nearly doubled in the last 20 years, yet an alarming number are unable to identify the early warning signs and symptoms. Last year, more than 8,700 British adults were given the news that they had mouth cancer.  The disease is diagnosed on one person nearly every hour.

New research by the Oral Health Foundation as part of November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month reveals that seven-in-ten (71%) do not know the symptoms of mouth cancer.

Further findings show more than four-in-five (83%) do not feel confident in what they are looking for when it comes to doing a mouth cancer check at home while around two-in-three (62%) confess to never checking themselves for signs of the disease.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes with the number of cases on the rise, it is important for everybody to know how to spot the early signs of mouth cancer and know how to perform a simple self-check.

Dr Carter says: “In the UK, and around the world, the number of people affected by mouth cancer continues to grow at an astonishing rate.  Anybody is at risk of mouth cancer, and with limited  access to dentistry at the moment, it is more important than ever for people to be vigilant. That’s why it is so important to know how and where mouth cancer can strike.

“Look for mouth ulcers that do not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck.

“Most mouth cancers appear on the tongue – around a third of all cases – but it can also strike on the tonsils, gums and lips.  It can also be found on the roof or floor of the mouth, as well as the throat.”

The new research shows that around one-in-two (52%) are aware that long lasting mouth ulcers could be a sign of mouth cancer while fewer know that red patches (41%) and white patches (48%) could be a symptom. Similarly, less than half (47%) identify lumps or swellings in the mouth, head or neck as a potential sign of mouth cancer, and even less (23%) know that persistent hoarseness might be a link.

The research has been published to coincide 20 years of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

The last two decades have painted a bleak picture for mouth cancer numbers in the UK.  New annual cases have soared by 97% since the year 2000, while those losing their life to the disease have increased by 48% in the last decade.  

For the last 20 years, the Oral Health Foundation has received support for the campaign from Denplan, part of Simplyhealth.  The partnerships between the two mouth cancer campaigners bids to turn the tide against the disease and create a more mouthaware population.

Catherine Rutland, Head Dental Officer of Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, highlights that conducting a potentially life-saving mouth cancer check is easy and can take as little as 45 seconds.

Dr Rutland says: “By spotting mouth cancer early, patients have a much better chance of beating it. With early diagnosis, the chances of surviving mouth cancer are nine out of ten and that’s why knowing what to look out for is so important. 

“A simple self-examination should involve checking your cheeks, gums, lips, tongues and tonsils. Also check the floor and roof of the mouth, as well as your head and neck. You should be looking for mouth ulcers that don’t heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth or unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, head and neck.

“Mouth Cancer Action Month is the perfect opportunity to become mouthaware by learning the risks and early signs of mouth cancer. It is also important that we not only recognise, but act on unusual changes in the mouth.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary, get checked out by your dentist or doctor.”

For more information about mouth cancer, including how to do a self-check for the disease, visit www.mouthcancer.org.

Denplan partners with Wright-Cottrell to supply essential PPE

Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has announced today that they are partnering with Wright-Cottrell, one of the UK’s leading dental distributors, to supply the previously announced £2 million worth of free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its Denplan members. All PPE will have full certification and carry the CE mark/BSO mark to reassure members that the equipment received is of the highest quality and fit for purpose.

This announcement comes at a critical time for dental practices across the UK who are starting to receive guidance on when they can reopen their practices. Practices in England learnt on Thursday 28 May that NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer for England have now confirmed any practice that is appropriately prepared can provide patient care from 8 June.

Following Denplan’s announcement on Friday 22 May that they are making a significant investment in PPE, the company will be furthering their close working relationship with Wright-Cottrell in helping dental teams get back to work safely.

Denplan’s investment in PPE is one of a number of key measures that Denplan has made since lockdown to help their members with financial support, health and wellbeing tools, business and clinical advice, and CPD initiatives. It is also a demonstration of Simplyhealth’s long-term investment in the future success of the healthcare profession.

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, said: “It is great news that practices in the UK have now learnt that they can start preparing to reopen. The need for enhanced PPE will be one of a range of new requirements for clinical practice to be able to reopen safely, at least in the short term. As a company, it is fantastic to be able to continue our support in helping Denplan practice teams get safely and efficiently back to caring for their patients and in particular, provide the essential PPE that they need to do this.”

Denplan are working closely with Wright-Cottrell to establish an efficient ordering process so that their members can access the essential PPE that they will need when clinical dentistry resumes.

Nigal Rutter, National Key Account Manager, at Wright-Cottrell, added: “We have a long-standing relationship with Denplan and many of their member dentists, so we were delighted when Denplan confirmed that we were their chosen supplier to provide PPE for their member practices. Over the years we have supported a range of events for Denplan’s clinical training programme and have sponsored all of Denplan’s charity events for the last two years. We look forward to this next stage in our partnership.”

Denplan are continuing their support for members to help them get back to work confidently by running a three day ‘Back to Work’ virtual conference from Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd June. The three day event, designed in partnership with Dental Update, offers 12 hours of free CPD, and features 17 lectures on subjects entirely devoted to practising dentistry safely and effectively in the Covid-19 era.

This conference will directly follow the April and May series of Denplan/Dental Update webinars, and the combined total registrations for both lecture programmes is hoped to exceed 100,000 dental professionals.

For more details on the Back to Work conference and how to register visit https://conference.dental-update.co.uk/

Denplan makes significant investment in PPE

Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has taken a significant step today to show its commitment to the long-term success of the dental profession and their ongoing support for member dentists in the UK, and the care of their patients. The company has announced that it is investing £2 million to provide essential, fully-certified, personal protective equipment (PPE) to help its Denplan member dentists get safely back to work and protect and care for their patients.

As the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, Denplan has over 2 million customers with around 6,700 member dentists, as well as serving over 2,700 companies with Denplan employee benefit schemes. However, all dental practices have been closed for normal routine dental care since the Coronavirus lockdown started on 23rd March, which has created a significant impact on practices, their patients, and access to oral healthcare across the UK.

Although a definitive date is currently unknown, there is increasing speculation that practices will reopen in the near future now that the Covid-19 national lockdown restrictions are being eased in some sectors. Denplan has made the decision to invest in PPE now, as part of a number of support measures put in place since lockdown to help their Denplan dental practices survive in these difficult times, make sure they can reopen safely, and also to ensure that their patients are confident to start attending appointments again.

News this week from the BDA has emphasised the importance of getting dentists back to work and how private dentists are particularly exposed financially, and also the concern that access to healthcare is going to get even worse for patients with a widening oral health gap.

Romana Abdin, Chief Executive at Simplyhealth, said: “Coronavirus has affected all of us deeply, both at work and in our personal lives. As a company, we are incredibly passionate about our Purpose which is to provide access to affordable healthcare for the many which we have been delivering for 148 years. This investment, alongside the range of support measures we have provided since lockdown, demonstrates our Purpose in action, our continued support for our Denplan members, our commitment to the long-term success of the dental industry, and the provision of essential dental healthcare to our members’ patients.”

Denplan is currently in final stage discussions with dental suppliers in the UK to create a robust operational process to provide essential PPE equipment to their member practices. Qualifying Denplan member practices will be allocated a fund, based on their Denplan patient numbers, which they can use to order vital PPE equipment directly from the chosen supplier. This fund will allow Denplan practices to select from a range of PPE items to help ensure the safety of their patients and of Denplan dental teams.

Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, said: “This has been such a difficult time for the whole dental profession. Our aim is to support our members in returning to practice by providing the standard of guidance that they expect from us, to provide safe practice and the PPE to enact that. We have also been working closely with our members to provide clinical and business guidance to help them return to work once all official government guidelines can be adhered to safely. We have always strived to create a partnership with our members’ and have worked hard to ensure that we provide added value services from our clinical team and our dedicated business consultants to contribute to a successful dental practice for the long term.”

Denplan has introduced a number of other new measures to help support their Denplan dentists during the Coronavirus lockdown. These have focused on three key areas: to support practice sustainability and provide financial support through extended loans; secondly, supporting the health and wellbeing of dentists via free access to Simplyhealth’s 24-7 virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme for practices; and finally, through ongoing CPD and professional development. This has included hosting a wide range of online lectures with expert guest speakers, and creating online versions of Denplan’s Tailor Made Training bespoke in-practice training programmes.