Warning signs of mouth cancer - visiting the dentist

Why visiting the dentist is important

Visiting the dentist regularly helps to keep your mouth healthy.

Nearly all dentists now check for the early warning signs of mouth cancer every time they see you. Your dentist can find these signs just by looking at and feeling your mouth. So this part of the visit should be quick, easy and painless.

Most changes in your mouth will have nothing to do with mouth cancer. But if your dentist is worried about your mouth he can quickly refer you to a specialist.

How do I find a dentist?

First of all work out what sort of dentist you are looking for. Dentists can have NHS patients, private patients or a mixture of both. Some dental surgeries offer extra services such as treatment in other languages, anxiety management or surgeries out of office hours.

To find a dentist check the yellow pages or contact one of these organisations:

NHS Direct - for local dentists in England Call: 0845 46 47 Visit: NHS Choices

NHS Scotland - for local dentists in Scotland Call: 0800 22 44 88 Visit: NHS 24

NHS Wales - for local dentists in Wales Call: 0845 46 47 Visit: NHS Wales

Northern Ireland Visit: Health and social care in Northern Ireland

Will I have to pay to visit the dentist?

Even if you register as an NHS patient you will probably still need to pay for your dental treatment.

You may be able to have free or low cost NHS dental treatment if:

• you are under 18
• you are on benefits
• you have a low income
• you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months

Fear of the dentist

Some people find visiting the dentist very frightening. Read our page on fear of the dentist for tips on how to overcome your worries.