Oral Health Foundation

Government consultation on water fluoridation: An opportunity for dental professionals to advocate for improved oral health

As the government launches a new consultation into water fluoridation in the North East, the Oral Health Foundation is encouraging dental professionals to seize this opportunity by liaising with local MPs for further expansion of the scheme across the UK.

The consultation opened earlier this week [25 March] with plans to extend the region’s water fluoridation scheme to an additional 1.6 million people, targeting vulnerable populations, particularly children and young adults.

Although the benefits of water fluoridation to oral health are well established and accepted, as few as six million people in England live in areas with fluoridated water.

The Oral Health Foundation believes water fluoridation should be more widely implemented in the UK and wants dental professionals to play a key role in promoting the benefits to policymakers.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “By participating in the North East consultation, you have the power to improve oral health outcomes for millions of people for generations to come. As dental professionals, we witness the devastating effects of tooth decay daily, placing us in a unique position to provide invaluable insights into its true impact on patients’ oral, general, and mental health.

“This consultation also presents a critical opportunity to build relationships with our local MPs and advocate for water fluoridation plans in all our respective areas. The success of the North East consultation will only strengthen our cause to expand water fluoridation across the UK.”

Although oral health is improving in England, the oral health survey of five-year-olds in 2019 showed that just under a quarter have tooth decay.

Each child with tooth decay will have on average three-to-four teeth affected. For those children at risk, it can happen early in life. The oral health survey of three-year-olds in 2020 found that 11% had visible tooth decay, with on average three teeth affected.

A 2022 health monitoring report showed five-year-olds in areas with fluoridated water in England were less likely to experience tooth decay compared to areas without fluoride and are less likely to be admitted to hospital to have teeth removed.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, adds: “Water fluoridation can reduce the prevalence of tooth decay and improve dental health equity across the UK. It should be seen as a complementary strategy, not a substitute for other effective methods of increasing fluoride use such as tooth brushing.”

Interim Chief Dental Officer for England Jason Wong says: “Reducing tooth decay supports wider health and wellbeing and reduces health inequalities by narrowing differences in dental health between more and less deprived areas, and this important measure forms a key part of our dental recovery plan which aims to improve access to NHS dental services across England.”

Under the Health & Care Act of 2022, the Secretary of State was given the authority by Parliament to implement new water fluoridation programmes. These initiatives have the backing of local authorities in the area, and the water company involved has prior experience in managing such schemes.

The government’s consultation, titled Community water fluoridation expansion in the north east of England can be found at www.gov.uk and will last 12 weeks. Following this, it will collect and review the feedback before making a decision on whether to extend the scheme.

You can find the contact details of your local MP by visiting www.members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

No health without oral health: New report sheds light on the true impact of oral disease

The Oral Health Foundation is supporting calls for multi-pronged approach to improve global oral health, following the release of a new report.

‘Time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Addressing Inequalities in Oral Health’ looks at the urgent need for better alignment between policy, public health initiatives, payment systems, and clinical practice, to address the pressing challenges facing oral health.

Published by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), in collaboration with Economist Impact, the report investigates periodontitis and caries, offering a holistic perspective on the global prevalence of oral diseases and the urgent need to address existing inequalities.

One of the major findings shows oral health is largely excluded amongst NCDs, despite a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) resolution urging oral care integration into wider healthcare.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, was part of the editorial team for the report and believes the shift in understanding oral diseases as preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial.

Dr Carter says: “It’s disheartening that mainstream NCD discussions often overlook oral health despite the 2021 WHO Resolution. Neglecting the impact of oral health and its shared risk factors with other NCDs is a missed opportunity for comprehensive healthcare planning.

“Urgent action is needed to boost public awareness on the relationship between oral health and overall well-being. A vital step for a healthier society.”

The report, which was supported by Haleon, also identifies several barriers towards implementing effective preventive measures. These included a lack of political will for water fluoridation, varying sugar tax success, and pandemic-related disruptions to school-based programmes.

“Preventive measures are crucial for reducing oral diseases, yet formidable barriers persist,” adds Dr Carter. “The urgent need for community support is clear. The public, clinicians, and campaigners must intensify pressure on policymakers to overcome challenges like political reluctance, geographical complexities, and industry opposition. Emphasising community water fluoridation, sugar taxes, and robust education programmes is vital for a global shift towards improved oral health.”

Presented on Tuesday by the EFP in Brussels, the report also expressed concerns that clinical care for dental caries remains largely focused on a “repair approach”.

Analysis found that decades of oral care focus has been placed on reactive, not preventive, measures. It also revealed limited preventive training and inadequate incentives for health professionals.

Dr Carter says: “The core issue in the UK lies in an unfit dental contract solely focused on UDAs, sidelining preventive care. Urgent reforms are essential, emphasising the need to expand the oral health workforce and implement robust payment incentives that prioritise and reward preventive measures.”

The report also laid bare the economic burden of oral disease. Direct global treatment costs due to the three most common oral conditions (caries, severe periodontitis, and severe tooth loss) were estimated at £285 billion yearly, representing around 5% of worldwide health expenditure. The indirect costs due to loss of productivity was estimated at roughly £150 billion.

Dr Paula Vassallo, President of the European Association of Dental Public Health, looks at the bigger picture when it comes to the economic burden and potential opportunity to improve population health and save finite resources for the health system.

Dr Vassallo says: “Oral health is like the canary in the coal mine. If an individual has oral health problems, what is going to be the cost of all the additional factors? Not only the economic burden in terms of absenteeism and presenteeism from work, but also other NCDs.”

The UK was given the unwanted position of being the country with the highest per-person cost for treating dental caries – amounting to £18,000 per-person. This cost jumped to around £23,000 for more deprived people, who face disproportionate economic burden due to limited treatment options.

Economist Impact modelled the cost savings associated with preventive strategies. They found that implementing preventive interventions could reduce caries rates by as much as 30% while substantially cutting costs.

“Targeted preventive management is crucial across the entire population, but it will undoubtedly have a greater impact for addressing socioeconomic disparities,” adds Dr Carter. “There must be a firm commitment from government to level-up oral health and narrow the gap between the highest and lowest socioeconomic groups.”

Read the full report: ‘Time to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Addressing Inequalities in Oral Health’.

Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe launches new manifesto

The Oral Health Foundation is proud to endorse and support for the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe’s (PBOHE) new manifesto, ‘Smile your way to a healthy life: Working together for everyone’

As a member of the PBOHE, the Oral Health Foundation joins the call for policymakers across Europe to take strategic action in promoting and maintaining good oral health and well-being for all, ultimately alleviating the strain on societies and healthcare systems.

In a world where the connection between oral health and overall well-being is undeniable, the manifesto urges leaders to take bold and decisive action. The manifesto serves as a rallying cry, uniting stakeholders in a shared commitment to prioritise oral health as a key determinant of a flourishing and thriving life.

Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, says: “This manifesto comes at a crucial time, as societies grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by healthcare disparities and increasing pressure on public health systems.

“By advocating for robust policies, this manifesto addresses the root causes of oral health issues, and if suggested policies are implanted, can lead to healthier and happier populations across Europe.”

The manifesto sets out three ways EU policymakers can promote and maintain good oral health for the population. They are:

  • Place oral conditions at the heart of the EU’s ambitions to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
  • Include preventive oral healthcare medicines within the EU’s Critical Medicines initiative.
  • Dedicate funding from EU programmes such as EU4Health and Horizon Europe towards research in oral health.

“Recognising oral conditions as major NCDs is crucial for general health,” adds Dr Carter. By elevating oral health to equal status with other diseases, we can ensure public health strategies are fully inclusive.

“Including essential oral healthcare medicines would be highly effective for addressing critical medicine shortages. Widespread access to fluoride toothpaste, varnishes, silver-diamine fluoride, and glass ionomer not only alleviates the burden of oral conditions but also combats antimicrobial resistance by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use across the EU population.

“Setting aside specific funding from the EU to study how oral health affects public health is really important. This helps gather strong evidence for actions that can improve overall health by tackling social and business factors. With a shared data system across Europe, this research strengthens efforts to make public health better for everyone in Europe.”

The manifesto also proposed three ways policymakers can drive success at government level. They are:

  • Promote and encourage the adoption of best practices which have successfully improved oral health and have reduced risk factors shared with other non-communicable diseases.
  • Support the implementation of the WHO Action Plan on Oral Health, with a focus on including essential oral healthcare within Universal Health Coverage.
  • Facilitate the implementation of integrated healthcare teams and a primary care workforce which can cater to the needs of the population.

Dr Carter says: “Learning from the success of countries implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks fosters a proactive strategy to alleviate the burden of NCDs.

“Urging EU countries to follow the WHO’s plan for oral health is really important. Doing this means we can create new and better ways for dental professionals, making sure everyone gets the dental care they need. Focusing on preventing problems and promoting good oral health in regular care helps everyone, especially those who need it most.

“Seeking EU support for minimum education standards for future oral healthcare professionals is crucial. By adapting training to meet the needs of our aging population and changing demographics, we ensure well-prepared professionals for increased treatment needs. Additionally, encouraging integrated healthcare teams with robust public health training enhances overall oral health for a healthier community.”

The new PBOHE manifesto can be downloaded by visiting http://www.oralhealthplatform.eu/.

Oral Health Foundation voices concern as SmileDirectClub closure leaves patients in the lurch

The Oral Health Foundation has raised alarms over the recent closure of SmileDirectClub, leaving a significant number of patients in a precarious position.

The charity believes the abrupt closure of the direct-to-consumer aligner company has left patients uncertain about the continuity of their dental care and orthodontic treatments.

The Oral Health Foundation is concerned by the potential consequences of patients being left without proper guidance and support midway through treatment plans. The charity is also deeply troubled by the financial impact of patients being abandoned, with many having paid out thousands of pounds.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “The closure of SmileDirectClub has created an upsetting situation for many patients who were undergoing dental treatments. We are extremely worried about what impact this will have on the oral health and mental wellbeing of thousands of people currently undergoing treatment.

“Our hearts go out to the patients who placed their trust in SmileDirectClub. The sense of abandonment they now face is truly distressing.

“It is infuriating to see patients left out in the cold, ripped off, and left out of pocket. The financial losses some patients might now incur are inexcusable, and it’s a stark reminder of the consequences when companies prioritise profits over the wellbeing of those they serve.”

SmileDirectClub initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in September, citing a substantial debt of more than £700 million.

Despite an extensive search spanning several months, the company disclosed on last Friday that it was unsuccessful in securing a partner willing to inject sufficient capital to sustain its operations.

Upon its initial public offering in 2019, SmileDirectClub commanded a valuation of approximately £7 billion. However, the company experienced a significant decline in stock value over subsequent years, grappling with persistent financial losses and grappling with legal challenges.

In the fiscal year 2022, SmileDirectClub reported a notable loss of almost £70 million.

“It all leaves a very bitter taste,” adds Dr Carter. “Patients have been left in the lurch and it will now no doubt fall on orthodontists to rescue the situation for those SmileDirectClub customers who remain unhappy with their smile.

“Patients who are already rightly feeling let down, angry and frustrated will now be in a position where their treatment will not be completed as quickly as they thought. They are also facing further costs. Patient expectations will need to be delicately managed.”  

The Oral Health Foundation has previously expressed concerns about the remote provision of plastic aligners, citing concerns about the potential risks of misdiagnosis. These concerns were communicated to the regulatory authorities. 

In 2021, the charity launched Safe Smiles, a campaign to help patients make safer choices when it comes to their dental treatment. The campaign stresses the importance of having dental treatment in dental practices and the benefits of it being carried out by trained and registered professionals.

Receiving overwhelming endorsement across the dental industry, the campaign was a response to concerns to the growth of direct-to-consumer alternatives, with the charity worried about more patients potentially being in danger.

Patients looking for advice about seeking orthodontic treatment should visit www.dentalhealth.org/safe-smiles-seeing-a-dental-professional.

“An essential service that must be protected at any cost” – Oral Health Foundation backs latest report exposing NHS dentistry crisis

The Oral Health Foundation has welcomed a new damning report exposing the unacceptable decline of NHS dentistry.

In a recently published report, the Health and Social Care Committee found that NHS dentistry is in crisis and in need of fundamental reform.

Over the last week, the Oral Health Foundation has been applauding the outcomes of the report, blasting officials on the current state of NHS dentistry, and calling for urgent and decisive action to end the current mess that surrounds NHS dentistry.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “NHS dentistry has been in freefall for years. Unsupported by government with no clear plan or direction towards an efficient and sustainable model to make NHS dentistry fit for purpose in today’s landscape.

“The Health Select Committee inquiry, which took place earlier this year, gave a voice to thousands of people within the profession and industry to express their disappointments, fears and anger over the state of NHS dentistry. The Oral Health Foundation’s response was deeply critical, and we are delighted that many of our concerns were matched in the published report last week.”

The charity is supporting the need for early action concerning the current dental crisis in the UK, as well as the right of everyone who wants to access NHS dentistry, to be able to do so in a timely manner without the need to travel many miles.

The Oral Health Foundation also welcomes proposals for urgent and fundamental contract reform. The charity wants to see the implementation of a capitation-based system which is designed to help reduce dental inequalities, together with a more emphasis on the prevention of dental disease. 

“It is most frustrating that many of the issues around the NHS dental contract that have been laid bare in last week’s report were also identified in a Health Select Committee from 2008,” adds Dr Carter. “Despite many years of piloting and prototyping, the necessary changes to reform NHS dentistry have still not been implemented.  These are essential to many of the other proposals, including workforce expansion and retention.”

The Oral Health Foundation is joining calls for the urgent, early publication of the promised Recovery Plan for Dental Services by the government.

The charity is also backing the need for more clarity concerning patient’s rights in relation to NHS dentistry. This includes a greater clarity on the move towards less frequent dental recalls for patients with good oral hygiene and lower risk of dental disease.

Dr Carter says: “Our views on patient registration, have not changed since the last report in 2008.  Dental registration allows patients to be registered with their individual dentist, this helps to build loyalty between patient and dentist, a good rapport and a trusting relationship.  This will improve oral health and successful prevention measures.”

According to the Health Select Committee report: ‘The argument then was that “dental care is most effective when delivered over time and as part of a trusting dentist-patient relationship”… Professor Paul Batchelor, Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Lancaster, who was a specialist adviser to our predecessor Committee, notes in his evidence that to achieve greater access and reduce inequalities, reform of the contract “should centre on capitation-based payments with long-term registration arrangements.”’

Amongst many other points raised by the recent report, the Oral Health Foundation is endorsing the urgent need for a dental workforce survey, the mandatory inclusion of dental representation on ICBs (Integrated Care Boards), and the speeding up of processes for potential overseas registrants. 

“Faith in NHS dentistry has been lost amongst the general public and the dental profession,” adds Dr Carter.

“We hope this report is the catalyst for campaigners such as ourselves, to add the necessary pressure on government to make the changes that are so badly needed. We will not allow the government to give up on NHS dentistry – it is an essential service that must be protected at any cost.”

An exciting new educational opportunity for dental nurses – Introducing the Janet Goodwin Educational Grant

The Oral Health Foundation in collaboration with the British Association of Dental Nurses, are very excited to introduce the Janet Goodwin Educational Grant.  This is a financial award, to assist your dental nurses to achieve their full potential and become a further asset to your practice, from their dental nursing diploma through to upskilling via post-qualification education to extend their day-to-day duties.

So, if you have any trainee dental nurses and they are funding their own dental nursing diploma examinations themselves, they can apply for the bursary to help them cover course and examination fees.  They can apply for funding of up to £500.

Or maybe all of your nurses are already qualified and registered with the General Dental Council, never underestimate the value of ‘upskilling’.  Many dental nurses and would love to further their dental careers and with these extra qualifications, they will become a much more valuable member of your dental team.   Post-qualification courses and education will aways increase job satisfaction, aid your practices’ staff retention level, and add value to the overall patient experience.

Working with a dental nurse that is qualified to carry out extra duties, will also help you to work in a more effective way, you can delegate more of your simpler treatments and save your valuable treatment time.

Why not encourage your nurses to have a look at extended duties courses, such as:

  • Oral health education
  • Dental radiography
  • Dental implant nursing
  • Orthodontic dental nursing
  • Dental sedation nursing
  • Fluoride varnish application
  • Special care dental nursing
  • Impression taking

Maybe one of the reasons that your dental nurses have not explored further education could be the associated costs. If they were to be awarded one of these grants, this would help to lessen the financial burden. 

This grant is in honour of the late Janet Goodwin, former President of the Oral Health Foundation, and a pioneering dental nurse, who tragically passed away from breast cancer in 2020. Janet began working in dentistry as a dental nurse in 1971, and worked in general practice, community, dental hospitals and further education.

An influential figure within oral health, Janet held roles at Leeds Dental Hospital, The National Examining Board for Dental Nurses and the General Dental Council. 

As well as her work with the Oral Health Foundation, Janet was a member of several oral health bodies. She carried out management and educational projects on an independent basis with various organisations including the Faculty of General Dental Practice, where she was Chair of the DCP committee, City & Guilds as Chief Examiner, and Dental Team Qualification in the development and delivery of DCP programmes.

In 2015, Janet became the very first dental nurse to be elected President of the Oral Health Foundation in the charity’s 52-year history, becoming a real voice for dental nurses all over the country.  From the minute she became President she was already breaking barriers. Janet brought a unique and vibrant personality which was what also allowed her to bring talented fresh faces to the Board of Trustees. 

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes that Janet was true ambassador for oral health, and she leaves behind a lasting legacy for the dental health of the nation and was a stalwart supporter of all dental nurses.

Encouraging dental nurses to seek education and relevant dental qualifications to enhance their dental careers, was always very high on Janet’s agenda, so these educational bursaries in her name, seemed to be the most appropriate use of these funds.

We want this grant to be a lasting legacy for the dental nurses that are successful, allowing them further their dental journey.  You could be instrumental in encouraging one of them to apply!

As a bonus, successful applicants will each receive a signed copy of Tits Up – a wonderful and insightful book by a great friend of Janet’s, and ex-employee of the NEBDN, Carol Patterson. The book documents Carol’s own breast cancer journey – the disease that ultimately took Janet Goodwin’s life.

Everybody at the Oral Health Foundation and British Association of Dental Nurses are very proud to continue Janet’s legacy by offering educational grants to dental nurses to help them achieve their dreams and furthering their careers.

Visit www.dentalhealth.org/janetgoodwingrant to find out more about the grant, the criteria, and to complete the application form.

Applications close on 17 August 2023.

Last chance to see The Dental Hygienist Roadshow

It’s National Smile Month! So what better time to sign up to The Dental Hygienist Roadshow by Johnson & Johnson Ltd.? There are only a few dates left in the calendar so here we find out what to expect from the remaining events.

Professor Iain Chapple, Benjamin Tighe and Laura Bailey have been touring the UK, bringing The Dental Hygienist Roadshow to dental events throughout the year.

Between them, they have covered the current impact periodontitis is having on the UK population, why managing gingivitis using plaque control measures is key to successful preventive care, and the role the dental hygienist and dental therapist can play in instigating behaviour change.

‘The reception we’ve had from the roadshow so far is that we’ve reinvigorated the passion for patient health, systemic health for behaviour change,’ Laura Bailey said.

‘We’re starting to get excited about oral hygiene again and how we motivate our patients, which is just really important.’

If you’ve missed the events so far, don’t worry, there are a couple more dates left in the diary, including:

  • 1 July – Bristol South West Dentistry Show
  • 7 October – London Dentistry Show

WTF: what is the future?

During the roadshow, the three lecturers take delegates through the very latest in periodontal research.

Professor Iain Chapple looks at the role of personalising dental medicine and the size of the challenge the dental profession faces.

Benjamin Tighe then discusses the role of chemotherapeutics in biofilm prevention, reviewing the latest mouthrinse evidence. He also explains how important it is for dental hygienists and dental therapists to critique research and how to implement these findings into everyday practice.

Finally, Laura Bailey explains how to inspire change in each patient’s behaviour. She unpicks the human brain and introduces the four personality types and how to adapt your approach to each one.

‘When I think about myself at the Hygienist Advisory Panel, I was adamant my mind wasn’t going to be changed on mouthwash,’ Benjamin Tighe said.

‘Professor Chapple was fundamental in shifting in my own thinking. He presented the evidence in a way I could understand.

‘It was open, free, I could ask questions. It helped me understand it a lot better. If you understand it, you’re more likely to recommend it.

‘That’s what this roadshow is all about, it’s an open forum. It’s there not just to get ideas from the lecturers but also from the delegates.

‘We want to know what you think. If there’s anything we can do to facilitate change in practice, then that’s what we’re here for.’

Register for the Q&A Forum

But the event doesn’t stop with the lectures. There is also the chance to discuss current challenges in practice in a more private setting with the speakers.

Johnson & Johnson Ltd., the maker of LISTERINE®, is hosting a Q&A Forum with up to 10 delegates at each event.

‘Quite often, people are a little shy coming up, particularly in an open environment, and asking questions. They wait until the end of the presentations,’ Professor Iain Chapple explains.

‘We’ve had some great conversations and great questions, not just from dental hygienists and dental therapists but dentists and dental nurses as well.

‘What this lunch has offered is a really relaxed and informal environment for people just to exchange views, talk about challenges. Question and challenge what we’ve been saying, which is really important.

‘That’s really enriched the main presentation.

‘For me, what’s really important from these roundtable discussions is I learn as much as the delegates do. They’re giving information on how they do things in practice.

‘It’s certainly a two-way learning process.’

To register your interest in attending the breakout Q&A Forum with the speakers, simply visit www.listerineprofessional.co.uk/roadshow2023.

Oral Health Foundation calls for action after a huge rise in childhood tooth extractions under general anaesthetic

The Oral Health Foundation calls for urgent action after a new report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities highlights a catastrophic rise in childhood tooth extractions

Shocking figures reveal an 83% increase in the number of 0-19 year-olds being admitted to hospital for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic, due to tooth decay.

In total, there were 26,741 tooth extractions on 0-19 year-olds, due to tooth decay between 2021-2022.

According to the report, there are large disparities between areas of the country, for example Yorkshire and the Humber rates are over five times that of the East Midlands.

The cost of hospital extractions under general anaesthetic in children 0-19, due to decayed teeth was almost £60 million.  The Oral Health Foundation say this is NHS money that could be used in other areas, to improve dental access and reduce treatment waiting times.

The charity believes more education and funding is needed, as well as improved awareness about tooth decay dental decay can be prevented.   

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation said: “It is unfair and unjust for even one child to experience dental disease and pain, let alone thousands. Only 10% of the country has fluoride added to their water, so expanding water fluoridation schemes could help to reduce these disparities in all areas of the UK.  Water fluoridation is one of the single most credible and impactful schemes that can have a significant impact on tooth decay. The data on children’s general anaesthetic, hospital extractions in non-fluoridated areas versus fluoridated areas is staggering – in fluoridated areas, hospital admissions fall by as much as 68%.”

The caries-related tooth extraction rate for children and young people living in the most deprived areas is nearly 3.5 times that of those living in the most affluent areas.

“These figures continue to suggest that the UK is turning into a postcode lottery when it comes to dental access,” adds Dr Carter.  “These differences have been increasingly apparent as NHS dentistry is put under more stress. Less NHS dentists, rising populations and dental teams combined with an NHS dental contract that does not work, have certainly not helped the situation around the UK.”

The Oral Health Foundation says the number of children and young adults having teeth removed in hospitals is unacceptable.  The charity is concerned that too many people believe that having ‘baby’ teeth removed early does not have a long-term impact on the ‘adult’ or permanent teeth.

Dr Carter says: “If the baby teeth have to be removed early due to decay, this can cause problems with the adult teeth, in the future. The baby teeth hold the space open for the permanent teeth to move into when they are ready.  Without the baby teeth to keep these spaces, the adult teeth often come through in the wrong position.  If this happens, the child will need to have orthodontic (braces) treatment, in the future.”

As always, the Oral Health Foundation recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, using a fluoride toothpaste.  As children get older, they should start to clean in-between their teeth using interdental brushes, tape or floss, once a day.

“Unless the proper steps are put in place to reduce the number of decay-related tooth extractions under general anaesthetic in hospitals, these numbers will continue to escalate and place further strain on an already over-stretched NHS,” adds Dr Carter.  

“The only way to reduce this burden is to educate all ages, on the causes of dental decay and how to prevent it, with a balanced, healthy diet that is low in sugar and maintain an effective dental hygiene routine at home, and keep an eye on their oral health by visiting their dentist regular, as often as they recommend.”

Simon A F Howell: 10 October 1952 – 8 February 2023

Words by Karen Coates, Oral Health Content Specialist at the Oral Health Foundation, 14/02/23

We are sad to announce the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague, Simon Howell.

Simon was Director of Campaigns for the Oral Health Foundation (previously the British Dental Health Foundation) from 2004 to 2014.  He previously worked at Smile-On learning, so came to the Oral Health Foundation with a wealth of industry knowledge.

During his time at the Oral Health Foundation, Simon was at the forefront of delivering our public oral health awareness message, with major campaigns such as National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month.   He was also instrumental in spreading the ethos and mantra of the Oral Health Foundation, both in the UK and overseas. 

Through the years, Simon built up many great relationships within the dental profession and industry, and these resulted in friendships that were to last for many years.  Simon was always especially popular at dental shows, due to his infectious enthusiasm and energy. 

In the office, Simon was a huge character, with many a tale and a ‘dad joke’ or three.   We fondly remember the tales such as how the double stitched seam on his KooGa shorts saved him from a major injury when the ladder broke whilst he was cleaning his boat.  His sense of humour was legendary and more often than not, groan-worthy too.  Since we heard the shocking news of his passing, we have spent several hours remembering all of his nicknames for people and his wonderful stories and jokes, with love and smiles.

Simon was genuinely interested in people and took the time to build friendships with everyone he met.  When he retired in 2014 after 10 years, his presence was greatly missed by us all at the Oral Health Foundation.

After he retired in 2014, Simon and his beloved wife, Julie moved to Oradour-Sur-Vavres, Limousin in France, where he spent his remaining years.

We send our thoughts and condolences to his much-loved family, wife Julie, son James, daughter-in-law Rita and precious granddaughter Beatrice.

Simon was larger-than-life, thoughtful, kind, selfless and great fun!  Our lives are richer for having him in them and the world is a sadder place without him. 

Simon, you were a true bon vivant, a great friend, and an absolute gentleman.  You will be remembered with a smile and with much love.

Healthy dad diagnosed with mouth cancer urges everyone to get check for signs and says, “it can happen to anybody”

“It’ll go away. It can’t be that serious”.   

That’s what father of four Robert Powell told himself when he came down with a persistent sore throat. 

It happened shortly after the London-born business consultant, along with his wife Susie, moved to France to open up a bed and breakfast. 

Robert suffered with tonsilitis as a young child, so a sore throat was nothing out of the ordinary.

“In those days, they used to whip your tonsils out at the drop of a hat but despite having several bouts of tonsillitis, they left them in,” Robert says.  “I just thought, I’ve got a sore throat and it’ll go away.  I did the blokey thing and ignored it.”

It took Robert several months before accepting that he needed help.  Coming back to the UK routinely for work, Robert visited a GP who prescribed him some antibiotics.  When the medication did not ease the pain in the back of Robert’s mouth, he decided to seek the advice of a dentist.

Robert adds: “One day, I was doing training at a dental practice and said, ‘would you mind taking a look at this?’.  The dentist put me in the chair, took one look before bringing in a colleague. They immediately said, ‘when you return to France, you need to see somebody urgently’.

“I went back later that week. Like the UK, the French health care system is very good.  They were rapid.  I made a call and went in for a consultation.  The next day I was in a specialist unit for a biopsy and two days later I received the diagnosis that I had mouth cancer on my tonsils.

“This was my 62nd birthday. Quite the present.”  

A human biology and immunology graduate from the University of London, Robert has spent much of his adult life working in healthcare. 

Because of his work alongside dental practices, Robert was aware of mouth cancer, but it wasn’t that high up on his agenda.  He did not smoke or drink an excessive amount of alcohol.  Robert considered himself a fit and healthy person.

“When I was told that I had mouth cancer, I was in disbelief,” Robert says.  “A feeling of denial that it can’t possibly happen to me.  I lived healthily and didn’t think I was in a risk factor group.  For a time, I detached myself from it all and convinced myself that it’s fine and nothing to worry about.  

“The news effected the children more.  We had the family over for the holidays and they were thinking is this going to be the last Christmas?  It was that thought which made me think it was really serious.”  

Thankfully, Robert’s cancer was caught early.  He underwent a 12-week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has since been able to make a good recovery. 

However, the lasting impact of mouth cancer continues to be with him.

Robert adds: “I still suffer with a dry mouth, as the radiotherapy damaged my salvia glands.

“I also struggle a lot with taste…  which for somebody who enjoys their food, living in France on wine and cheese for four years, that’s a big problem.  If I eat a bar of Cadbury’s I can tell what it is for the first 30 seconds, but after that, it may as well be margarine.  I also used to enjoy a vindaloo but now a korma seems hot.”

Due to Robert’s treatment, he also needs to wear a mouthguard filled with fluoride gel when he sleeps.  He will need to do this for the next five years, to help strengthen his teeth and maintain good oral health – something that many mouth cancer survivors face difficulties with.

Robert has become a mouth cancer ambassador for the Oral Health Foundation, to share his experiences and raise awareness of the disease that has changed his life.

Spotting mouth cancer early is crucial for beating the disease and Robert urges everyone to be more aware of the changes that occur inside their mouth.

Robert says: “The lesson I took away is that even if you are a non-smoker, you are still at risk.  You can’t sit there and be complacent and think this can’t happen to me.  So many people like myself, will make the mistake of dismissing the symptoms and think they will go away.   

“Mouth cancer can happen to anybody, however fit or normal you think you are.  That’s why regular dental check-ups are so important.  Having a specialist like a dentist look in your mouth routinely is as vital as cervical screening or a breast cancer check.  Even if there’s nothing there, it’s the reassurance.  Regular dental check-ups can be a matter of life or death.” 

Mouth cancer can appear on the tonsils, tongue, gum, cheek, head and neck.

Be alert to mouth ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches and unusual lumps or swellings.  Persistent hoarseness, or a numbness on the lips or tongue are the other common signs. If you notice any of these symptoms, visits a dentist or doctor immediately. 

You can find more information on mouth cancer by going to www.mouthcancer.org and by following November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month on social media via #MouthCancerAction.