Many homeless people face an increased risk of developing mouth cancer because they smoke and drink, and do not have access to dedicated dental services, an expert in special care dentistry has warned.

According to Prof Blánaid Daly of Dublin Dental University Hospital, who previously established a community dental service department for homeless people in London, dentists can spot the early signs of mouth cancer with a simple check-up.

However, as homeless people do not visit dentists regularly, these early signs are not being picked up on. Furthermore, with levels of homelessness on the rise, ‘the likelihood of more people falling through the cracks is increasing'.

She criticised the lack of access to dedicated, flexible dental services for socially excluded people in Ireland and insisted that groups like the homeless should not have to rely on charity.

Prof Daly made her comments ahead of Mouth Cancer Awareness Day, which takes place on September 20. Currently in Ireland, 300 new cases of this disease are diagnosed every year and two people die from it every week.

Some of the main risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a diet lacking in fruit and vegetables and exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) through sexual contact.

This year's event is focusing on homeless people and other socially excluded groups. On September 20, dentists will provide free oral exams for homeless people through the Simon Community network in Dublin, Cork and Galway, and the Peter McVerry Trust and the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin.

This is the 8th Mouth Cancer Awareness Day and since it began, around 30 cases of mouth cancer have been detected as a direct result of oral exams carried out on the day.

According to Prof Daly, the reasons for homelessness are very diverse and life on the streets ‘imposes chaos' on those affected.

"If you are on the streets, where do you keep a toothbrush or toothpaste? What are you eating? Most will have no control over the latter. Into this challenging mix you may well have issues such as addiction, substance abuse and mental health issues. Homeless people need services to be flexible and accessible," she insisted.

She noted that in the UK, anyone claiming income support is entitled to receive free dental treatment under the NHS. However in Ireland, homeless people are not accessing primary dental care services.

"This could be down to dental anxiety, not knowing where to get dental care and not knowing that they are entitled to an annual oral exam. Unfortunately the services which are available on the Medical Card are very limited, so very often things can go unnoticed or undetected and that is why this year our focus is very much on homeless people," Prof Daly said.

According to Dr Conor McAlister of the Irish Dental Association (IDA), if you drink alcohol or smoke, the risk of developing mouth cancer is up to 40 times greater.

"We are seeing an increase in the incidence of this disease and seeing it in younger people and it's not just smokers and drinkers. Whatever the cause, the key point to remember is that early detection saves lives. A lot of people do not realise that they are entitled to a free oral exam once a year under the PRSI and Medical Card schemes," Dr McAlister explained.

Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer include:
-A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks.
-White or red patches inside the mouth
-A lump in the mouth or neck
-A persistent sore throat or hoarseness.

If you are concerned about mouth cancer, or any other type of cancer, you can call the National Cancer Helpline on 1800 200 700.

For more information on Mouth Cancer Awareness Day, click here