Oral cancer: avoiding delay in diagnosis

This webinar draws from MDDUS case experience and analysis of clinical negligence claims associated with delayed referral, resulting in a diagnosis of oral cancer.

Common pitfalls are highlighted along with strategies to reduce risk. The webinar is suitable for dentists and DCPs working in general dental practice.

At the end of the session, attendees will understand how to reduce the risk of an allegation of a delay in referring a patient who subsequently receives a diagnosis of oral cancer.

Learning outcomes

Understand UK guidelines in relation to patient with oral ulceration and other oral lesions
Understand the importance of careful assessment and documentation of such lesions and when to refer
Have awareness of the types of cases that MDDUS deals with in relation to allegations of failure to refer referring a patient in relation to a subsequent diagnosis of oral cancer.

Speaker: Helen Kaney

Helen qualified from Glasgow University in 1987 (BDS) and spent many years in general dental practice as well as working as a clinical assistant in conservative dentistry and prosthodontics at Glasgow Dental Hospital and at Guy’s Hospital in London.

She developed an interest in law and ethics early in her career and studied law (LLB) and then trained and worked as a solicitor for a number of years, acting for doctors and dentists in clinical negligence claims, regulatory matters and FAIs (in Scotland) on the instructions of UK indemnity providers.

Her first dentolegal role in 1999 was working for a large insurer in Surrey. Helen then completed an MBA in 2013 at Strathclyde Business School. She has significant experience in advising and assisting dentists in the UK and Ireland and in several international jurisdictions.

Helen was a fellow and an elected council member of the College of General Dentistry (formerly FGDP (UK)) for six years until spring 2025. She joined MDDUS in July 2023 after working for 14 years for another UK based indemnity provider, latterly as head of dental services, Scotland.

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This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity fully complies with the CPD requirements of the General Dental Council. FMC certifies this activity for one hour of enhanced CPD in the subject of Oral cancer: avoiding delay in diagnosis.

This CPD meets the criteria for the GDC’s development outcome A.