I believe most people will not realise their dentist is a watchdog for throat, mouth and facial skin cancers. As an infant I had an accident which left my teeth vulnerable and over the years with my permission following discussion my dentist removed all my teeth. I have worn full false teeth for about 20 years with no problem at all. Even though I have no teeth, my dentist told me that dentists watch out for throat, mouth and facial skin cancers so I continued with an annual check up. For 2 years I had a small spot on the side of my nose which just over a year ago began to visibly grow. I meet many people everyday and it was being noticed. I went for my annual check up with my dentist and he told me I should go to my GP which I did. My GP said it was nothing and to hide it with foundation. My dentist checked up with me to see what had happened and when I told him, he said I should go back and be more definite. I duly did so and reluctantly my GP removed the spot and sent it to Poole Hospital for analysis. I then got an appointment at the Dermatology dept of the Hospital followed by an operation. The spot was a skin cancer and was growing. I had 4 others on my face which I couldn't see but the experienced hospital consultant saw them immediately. They were all dealt with at the same time. The 4 little ones were just nicked off with no trouble at all. The original one was benign not malignant but was growing and would continue to grow. Although some of it was visible at the side of my nose, there was more of it behind my nose. The operation was under local anaesthetic only and over in 25 minutes. It took about a week to heal and have the stitches and one staple removed in my local surgery. I was told by the hospital that they had removed all of the cancer because they were back to all normal tissue around, beneath and above the spot which had been removed. The incision was made where my nose and cheek join and now a year later I am pleased to say that there is not even a scar visible. I am a farmer and as such am apparently vulnerable to facial cancers so the Hospital told me. This is the only review I have ever done, but I want to make a few points. Firstly that I am extremely lucky that my dentist carried on checking up on me even after I had no teeth of my own left. Secondly that he noticed the skin cancer in the first place and that he then pushed me to go back to my GP and be more definite. Even though my skin cancer was benign so it would not spread it would have continued to grow. As it was behind my nose it could probably have proved dangerous if left. I also want to point out that having a skin cancer need not necessarily be a dreadful experience. Caught in time, as it was, thanks to my dentist and dealt with by experts at the Hospital promptly, it did not have a chance to get any larger and is now sorted. I hope people will realise that dentists do not just look after teeth, but serve an important role in cancer checks.
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I have attended my dentist's dental surgery for many years, having started locally to the surgery but still making the journey from many house moves of mine throughout my life and therefore travelling many miles from Germany, Salisbury and Oxford to get treatment. I trust my dentist 100% and his work family, two members of staff particularly always make me feel very comfortable and welcome which has also been extended to my family at times too. Not just a dentist but my friend too. Very competent in everything the dentist does.. Highly recommend.
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