When I started this campaign, just over 2 weeks ago, I knew very little about dental treatment or how it’s funded. I just knew that cancer patients were struggling with the costs of dental care. Over the past 2 weeks, I’ve been able to crystallise my thinking and when (please note, I’m not saying “if”) I have a meeting with Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, I believe there are additional issues that need to be addressed:
1. Free dental care for all cancer patients (the basis of this campaign) - this remains unchanged;
2. A communication given to all newly diagnosed cancer patients (and those already undergoing treatment at the time the changes come into force), that advise on the importance of seeing a dentist before treatment starts/as needed/and after it ends. As a GP is normally the first to know of a patient’s diagnosis, logically this communication might be best coming from them. This information needs to be “punchy” and under 1 page in length because cancer patients are bombarded with information (and naturally they will focus on the cancer and treatment) but they need to be fully aware why they need to visit a dentist. This communication should include the following:
3. A list of dental practices in each area (tailored specifically to where you live) who will treat you as an NHS patient whether you are registered with them or not. This is crucial to ensure patients are able to access NHS dental treatment and are not forced to pay for private care due to time constraints or the inability to see an NHS dentist.
4. Dentists treat cancer patients as a priority ie a cancer patient is seen within 7 days or less of contacting the dentist. This should mean most dental treatments can be carried out in a timely manner and should avoid delays in having life-saving cancer treatment.
I'm sure as the Campaign progresses (and this will be a marathon rather than a sprint), other issues might be raised and may need inclusion. For the moment though, these areas will be the focus of the Campaign.