MOUTH CANCER SCREENING ACCREDITIATION SCHEME PRACTICE OF THE MONTH –ST ANDREWS DENTAL CARE
MONDAY2ND FERBRUARY 2015
PRESS RELEASE– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Interviews Available: Mouth Cancer Foundation Consultant – Elizabeth Laverack
St Andrews Dental Care Dentist – Joe Rawcliffe
To set up an interview andfor more informationplease call Media Ambitions on + 44 (0) 208 940 2222 or email .
Today, a dental practice that has been serving residents of Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire for over 30 years,St Andrews Dental Care, is announced as the Mouth Cancer Foundation’s ‘Practice of the Month’ for February. The team has proven they go above and beyond to implement the charity’s Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme*so was chosen from all dental practices across the UK who have signed up to the charity’s award-winning scheme. By joining the scheme the dental practice is placing the onus on their own team to actively prove they are carrying out a thorough head and neck cancer check at routine appointments.
The scheme is a ‘Two minutes to save a life’ screening protocol, which is a 10-point checklist that every dentist should be able to include in their routine examinations, whether they are based at an NHS, private or mixed practice. The charity accredits dental practices that meet the criteria.
Here Dentist, Joe Rawcliffe outlines how the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme has inspired her team to raise public awareness of mouth cancer.
Practice Name: St Andrews Dental Care
Practice Address: 339 Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 4EJ
Size of Practice: Team of 5
Practice Website:
Scheme Lead: Joe Rawcliffe
Tell us about your practice
St Andrews Dental Care is a fully private practice based in West Hull. We are a very small close knit friendly team that have been providing excellent, professional dental care to patients for over 30 years in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. We understand that dental care can sometimes be a concern for nervous patients so we have tried really hard to be different and make sure that our patients leave the practice feeling cared for, relaxed and with a big smile on your face.
What attracted you to the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme?
We have supported the Mouth Cancer Foundation for many years and due to our profession we all find it very close to our hearts to help raise awareness in as many ways as possible. Joe and Jo have for years carried out an intra-oral screening during dental and hygiene appointments. When we heard about the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme, we were very keen to become accredited and learn more about the ‘2 Minutes to Save a Life’ screening protocol.
How has the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme helped St Andrews Dental Care reach best practice standards in the management of mouth cancer in general practice?
Due to the rigorous nature of the screening process we have found that it has vastly improved detection and diagnosis. It has also helped us reach best practice standards.
What benefits has St Andrews Dental Care seen for the team, patients and wider community since introducing the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme in practice?
The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme has made the whole team more aware of the screening process. We have gained more confidence and knowledge in the subject. We are also supported by a great referral service from Hull Royal Infirmary who we cannot praise enough.
Our patients feel reassured that we carry out thorough screenings during routine appointments.
As a practice we try and help raise awareness to the public through many types of media. Our local newspaper has featured many articles helping us raise awareness by informing the public about our open days. We also use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word.
What the team thinks about the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme
“The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme is a fantastic scheme and the feedback we have received from our patients have been nothing but excellent. Our patients feel that we are very informative about the screening procedures and are very satisfied with the level of care we provide. I am proud to say that we are part of the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme and are helping raise awareness.”
Samantha – Dental Nurse
“Being accredited by the Mouth Cancer Foundation has given me more confidence to carry out oral cancer screening. Although I have for many years carried out the oral screening on all patients, I now feel my screening is more comprehensive. My patients notice it and comment on how thorough it is. It makes them feel reassured.”
Jo – Hygienist
“As a proud Mouth Cancer Foundation accredited practice, we aim to do all we can to increase public awareness of mouth cancer and the importance of regular mouth cancer screenings. The training we have received has improved our skills and knowledge so we can ensure that our patients are given the best care we can offer. The decision to introduce this scheme to the practice has proved positive throughout. It has helped us to raise awareness to each and every patient we see.”
Rebecca – Dental Nurse
What patients say about St Andrews Dental Care
“To All at St Andrews, God bless you all, bless you all for your kindness, compassion, empathy, understanding and immense experiences here. Although shocked and upset that my situation was worse than I had feared, I have to say that the overall experience has been one akin to 'coming home' - every step fully explained with patient kindness and tolerance of my considerable concerns, complete non-judgement total commitment and great skill that comes only from hearts and souls that are fully working within what must be their true life purpose. Although not my ideal scenario or outcome, the best possible outcome I could have feasibly attained, has come about only through being guided here, to the best dentist and dental practice I have ever known, so much so that I will commit to travel overseas from my home land in order to have all my follow-up appointments at the best dental practice ever. Thank you from my heart”
Anon
The Mouth Screening Accreditation Scheme is open to any dental practice whose clinicians are registered with the GDC. For more information or to join please contact the Mouth Cancer Foundation via or call +44 (0) 1924 950950.
-ENDS-
For general press enquiries, please contact:
Elizabeth Ayto Laverack or Izabela Nair
Media Ambitions - +44 208940 2222
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Mouth Cancer Foundation –
The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity no. 1109298.
* The Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme helps dentists to know what they are looking for and how to check and refer patients. This will allow head and neck cancers to be caught earlier. Head and neck cancers are particularly vicious and debilitating when detected late. Patients who survive are a huge drain on medical resources for the rest of their lives, in terms of post operative and the psychological care required. With earlier detection, lives are saved and costs on the NHS will reduce dramatically.
The scheme isa ‘Two minutes to save a life’ screening protocol, which is a 10-point checklist that every dentist should be able to include in their routine examinations.
Full membership includes access to a dedicated section of the charity website and FREE 1 hour CPD element as well as professional development and training modules suitable for all members of the practice team to ensure regular screening benefits practice patients.
The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a charity solely dedicated to supporting people affected by head and neck cancer. Support can play a pivotal role in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients. The Mouth Cancer Foundation’s online and telephone support service has given head and neck cancer patients and families the opportunity to articulate the consequences of their cancer journey and communicate their shared experiences. It is vital that the charity continues to provide free accessible information resources and ensure Mouth Cancer Foundation support is provided to those that need them.
About Mouth Cancer
Around 60,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth cancer over the next decade.
In the UK, over 7,700 people were diagnosed with Mouth Cancer in 2011.
Tobacco use is still considered the main cause of mouth cancer. According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of current smokers will die of a tobacco-related illness – including mouth cancer.
Drinking to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer by four times. Those who smoke and drink are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
Mouth cancer is twice more common in men than in women, though an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with the disease.
Age is another factor, with people over the age of 40 more likely to be diagnosed, though more young people are now being affected than previously.
Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases.
Experts suggest the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main risk factor within the coming decade.
Cancers can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, and adjacent areas like the throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites in the head and neck area.
Symptoms include:
An ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not heal within 3 weeks.
A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw or neck that persists for more than 3 weeks.
A difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue.
A numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
A feeling that something is caught in the throat.
A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than 6 weeks.
An unexplained loosening of teeth with no dental cause.
More information about Mouth Cancer is available at the Mouth Cancer Foundation web site or by emailing
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