Shortge of dentists causing mouth cancer deaths

London, Jan 27 (UNI) This is what shortgage of dentists can cause -- thousands of needless deaths from mouth cancer.

Stating that ''if people were able to gain easier access to a dentist then the 50 per cent mortality rate could be significantly improved,'' Nigel Carter, chief executive, British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), called on the government to improve the availability ofdental care to ensure early detection of cancer, The Independent reported.

Calling it ''Britain's secret cancer despite killing more people annually than cervical and testicular cancer put together,'' Dr Carter said, ''the survival rate of mouth cancer has not improved in 30 years.'' Britain records 4,750 fresh cases of mouth cancer a year. A Citizens Advice survey revealed that almost three million adults in England and Wales have had no dental treatment since the introduction of a new NHS contract for dentists in April.

The BDHF, however, estimates that the real number for the UK is up to 30 million.

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