Winsford resident launches campaign to improve access to NHS dental services
A man from Winsford, Cheshire, has launched a campaign to improve access to local dental services after being diagnosed with tongue cancer.
Philip Carden, 60, said that he faced a series of barriers when trying to see an NHS dentist. Mr Carden was diagnosed with tongue cancer after months of pain and recurrent infections during which he was unable to get an NHS dental appointment.
After trying to see a dentist for several months, Mr Carden was referred for further tests by his doctor. He had made an appointment after he cracked his tooth and it injured his tongue.
He would have had to take 12 buses to get a dental appointment so opted to call the surgery and got an appointment straight away. When the doctor examined Mr Carden’s tongue, she was shocked to see a suspicious lump, which she thought may be a tumour.
Mr Carden contacted local councillors to find out how we could start a campaign to try and raise awareness of local dental issues and has been assisted by Cllr Mandy Clare.
Cllr Clare said that the government needs to take urgent action to help people access dental services and to prevent those from deprived areas and people who don’t drive from being able to see a dentist.
She added that Mr Carden, while suffering from undiagnosed cancer, had been offered a choice between paying for private treatment and taking twelve buses to see an NHS dentist, which she described as “completely unacceptable.”
A spokesperson for NHS England explained that dental services have been disrupted by the pandemic, but encouraged anyone who has concerns about symptoms of oral cancer to contact their dentist, GP or a local dental helpline.
Mr Carden’s campaign has already attracted hundreds of signatures and received backing from local MP, Edward Timpson.
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