A DENTIST wants to raise awareness about the symptoms of mouth cancer which he says is often "overlooked".

Dr Anuj Desai, of Woodford House Dental Practice in Woodford Green, regularly works with Macmillan Cancer Support - but is now supporting Mouth Cancer Awareness Month.

The 26-year-old from Buckhurst Hill is will  be giving out free check-ups at his practice as part of the national event, which runs throughout November.

He said: “I do a lot of work with cancer charities because several members of my family have been through it.

“But while, as a dentist, mouth cancer is something you learn about in your first year of training, most people overlook it or don’t even know it exists.”

Mouth cancer diagnosis rates have increased by a third in the last 10 years, according to the Oral Health Foundation, with 2,000 deaths last year alone.

But Dr Desai admits part of the fight to crack down on cancer is getting patients through the door.

He said: “I think we still have a big fear of the dentist in this country.

“People either don’t come because it costs them money or because they’re still afraid.

“But at Woodford House we have got a lot of patients over their fears and it’s never as bad as people imagine.”

He added: “Mouth cancer is one of the most important reasons to get a dental check.

“If you catch symptoms early it’s easily treated, but it’s when signs go ignored for a few months that things get serious.

“I saw a few cases in hospital when I was studying, and when you see that tumour on the scan, it never leaves you – you remember it forever.”

People can come for their free mouth check at the practice in High Road throughout November, with the first 25 in with a chance of getting cheaper check-ups by becoming NHS dental patients.

Dr Desai said: “I did work experience at Woodford House when I was 16 and after going away to study, I’ve come back to the place I grew up.

“I see the same families come back time and time again, and it really feels like I’m giving something back, so that’s why I wanted to do the free cancer checks.”

“It sounds cheesy, but it really is my dream job.”