New care network improves dental access for cancer survivors

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 21. January 2026

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LEEDS, England: Improving oral healthcare for patients who have completed treatment for head and neck cancer remains a persistent challenge in the UK. Many patients both experience chronic oral complications and struggle to access routine dental services once acute cancer management ends. A new collaborative care model in the country of West Yorkshire is demonstrating how structured networks can close these gaps and support better long-term outcomes.

Patients treated for head and neck cancer may experience a combination of reduced salivary function, increased caries risk, radiation-related mucosal changes, impaired mastication and, in some cases, osteoradionecrosis. Their baseline oral health is also often poor. Despite these needs, survivors frequently lack access to suitably trained primary care dental teams, and as the incidence of head and neck cancer is higher in more deprived communities, socio-economic factors compound the challenge.

To address this, a care network has been established across West Yorkshire, linking tertiary specialist providers with selected general dental practices and Community Dental Services—a provider commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS) for patients who cannot be managed within routine general dental practice. The model includes structured practitioner education, defined referral routes back to specialist services, and ongoing communication between tertiary and primary care, but does not require substantial resources. The system provides clarity and confidence for practitioners and ensures a reliable route for maintenance care for patients once discharged from cancer treatment.

Early evaluation of the network in a recent article shows improved practitioner confidence across key treatment domains, including oral disease prevention, primary dental disease stabilisation and restorative work. Importantly, the model addresses not only clinical skill but also structural barriers such as remuneration concerns, pathway ambiguity and access to specialist advice. The initiative aligns with recent NHS commissioning guidance that highlights the need for supported cancer-specific dental pathways, and it offers a pragmatic example of how these could be implemented regionally.

The establishment of the network dovetails with work arguing for the centrality of oral health and robust dental care for the well-being of cancer patients. This is an especially acute need in contexts where reduced government funding has imperilled reliable access to dental care for cancer patients. As pressure on NHS dentistry continues, the West Yorkshire model underscores the role of collaborative care networks in supporting vulnerable patient groups. Its success suggests that similar cancer-focused dental pathways may be achievable in other regions through coordinated planning, targeted education, and streamlined links between primary and specialist services.

The article, titled “The introduction of a safe discharge network for the ongoing oral healthcare of patients who have completed management for head and neck cancers”, was published on 9 January 2026 in the British Dental Journal.