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Head and neck cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, can result in long-term oral health issues, including dry mouth, tooth decay and infections. These conditions can severely affect survivors' quality of life, their self-esteem and ability to eat, speak. Providing free dental care could ensure patients have access to essential treatments, improve their health outcomes, and reduce the financial burden, similar to other cancer types already covered by healthcare services.
We understand the importance of oral care for cancer patients. There are no current plans to extend free care to cancer patients, although those struggling with NHS dental costs can apply for help.
The Government recognises that patients with cancer, especially those with diagnoses of head or neck cancer, may be more vulnerable to oral health problems during and following their treatment. We are working across the system to ensure that patients who have a diagnosis of cancer receive timely, safe, and effective dental care.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of local populations and to determine the priorities for investment. NHS England has published guidance for ICBs to help ensure patients with a diagnosis of cancer can access oral healthcare in a timely manner. This guidance is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/oral-healthcare-provision-for-cancer-pathways/. The guidance outlines an “oral health in cancer pathway” for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer, patients awaiting chemotherapy or immunotherapy for any cancer type, and patients that will undergo bone marrow transplantation. This pathway could include oral health assessments, prevention, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in primary (NHS or independent), community, secondary, or tertiary care settings. This would be provided as part of a multi-disciplinary team care plan. Ongoing oral health management for the duration of the cancer therapy would take place.
Whilst there are currently no plans to extend free dental care to those with a diagnosis of head or neck cancer, for those who are struggling with NHS dental charges, there is a range of help available. This includes full exemptions from dental charges and, for those not eligible for exemption, support through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Exemptions are currently available for those who meet the following criteria:
• people aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• people who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• people who have had a stillbirth in the past 12 months
• people receiving treatment in an NHS hospital from a hospital dentist (although these patients may still need to pay for dentures or bridges)
• people receiving War Pension Scheme payments, or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments, and for whom the treatment is for their accepted disability
• people in receipt of certain benefits
For those who are not eligible for a full exemption, either full or partial support with the costs of NHS dental treatment is available through the NHS Low Income Scheme, information about which is available at the following link: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme.
Further information on the help available can be found at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/get-help-with-dental-costs/.
In addition, in the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government committed to providing more readily accessible, good quality care to those most in need. In line with this, we are working to transform NHS dentistry so it provides high quality care at the right time, and so nobody goes without because they cannot afford it.
Department of Health and Social Care