A focus on Mouth Cancer Action Month

In a contribution to the latest NHS Dentistry and Oral Health bulletin, Chief Dental Officer for England, James Wong, reflects on a year of significant change for the dental profession:

As we come towards the end of another busy year, I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the continued hard work of oral healthcare colleagues across the country. 2026 has brought significant changes to the profession, through the implementation of the quality and payment reforms  to the dental contract.

In adapting to these changes to improve how we deliver care, I would like to thank oral healthcare teams for their commitment to patient care and supporting one another. The recent NHS Business Services Authority  statistics  demonstrate increased dental activity across England, clearly reflecting the dedication of our workforce and better access for our patients.

Translating new guidance into everyday clinical practice is not always straightforward. Since the launch of the care pathways guidance , aiming to support patients with complex dental needs, colleagues have highlighted challenges around implementation. In response, we are holding a webinar at 6-7.30pm on Wednesday 11 November , which will outline approaches to deliver the care pathways. We will also be discussing the effective use of NICE dental recall intervals  as part of personalised patient care plans.

November marks Mouth Cancer Action Month, with this year's campaign emphasising the recognition of unusual or unexplained changes in the mouth and seeking advice early. Led by the Oral Health Foundation, and supported by partners such as the Mouth Cancer Foundation, the campaign is a timely reminder of the important role of the whole oral healthcare team in promoting crucial awareness.

In addition, October was Menopause Awareness Month, with World Menopause Day on 18 October. I am grateful to colleagues from across medicine and oral healthcare who have helped us explore the relationship between menopause and oral health in this bulletin, including links to useful resources for colleagues and patients.

Alongside the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry's development this year of updated clinical standards  to support the care of children and young people, I am pleased to see the publication of a new Cleft Lip and/or Palate guide for primary dental care teams . We hope this resource will help strengthen confidence amongst colleagues in general dental practice, reduce unwarranted variation and improve access to dental care for patients born with a cleft lip and/or palate.

It has been a real pleasure to see the breadth of collaboration and impactful work taking place across the sector this year.

Kind regards,

Jason Wong

Chief Dental Officer for England