QAD Dental
QAD Dental
QAD Dental is a private practice based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire under the lead of Dr Samantha Koch BSc (GDC number 229027). The practice was founded in 1989 and today focuses on private cosmetic dental work such as implants and Invislaign.
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SamanthaKochQAD
SamanthaKochQAD

Why Dentists Should Always Check for More Than Just Teeth

Why Dentists Should Always Check for More Than Just Teeth

8/7/2026 1:50:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 60
If you haven’t seen the patient in a while and it is a general check up, a dental examination can provide an important opportunity to look at the wider mouth, face, neck and throat, and sometimes spot signs of a health problem that the patient may not even know they have.

Dentists see patients regularly, sometimes more frequently than they see their GP. This means they are in a valuable position to notice changes and symptoms that could otherwise go unnoticed.

A few extra minutes can make a difference

A thorough dental examination should not stop at checking for decay, gum disease or broken teeth. Dentists should also be aware of changes to the tongue, cheeks, lips, throat, neck and surrounding areas.

The throat is particularly important. Unusual swelling, persistent soreness, changes or difficulty in swallowing or unexplained discomfort may sometimes point to an underlying problem that needs further investigation.

The same applies to the ears. Patients may complain of ear pain and assume they have an ear infection, when the actual source of the pain could be elsewhere. This is known as referred pain, where discomfort is felt in a different part of the body from where the problem originates.

Research has found that nearly 50% of ear pain cases can be referred pain rather than coming directly from the ear. Dental problems are one possible cause, but conditions affecting the throat and other parts of the head and neck can also be responsible.

Referred pain should not be ignored

Referred pain is a good example of why dentists should take a wider view when examining a patient. Pain in the jaw, face or ear may appear to be dental, but it is not always caused by a tooth.

In some cases, persistent or unexplained pain can be associated with more serious conditions, including head and neck cancers. 

This does not mean that every unusual symptom is cancer, but it does mean that dentists should recognise when something does not look or feel normal and know when further investigation or referral is needed.

One study of patients with earache found that 12.2% had referred otalgia, meaning the pain was coming from somewhere other than the ear. Of those cases, dental problems were the most common cause.

Dentists can help spot cancer early

Mouth and throat examinations are an important part of wider patient care because dentists may be among the first healthcare professionals to notice suspicious changes.

Cancer Research UK states that around 8,900 new cases of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year. It also notes that dentists are often the first people to spot early signs of these cancers.

This is why dentists should look for things such as persistent ulcers, unexplained lumps, changes in colour or texture, swelling, unusual bleeding and changes around the throat or neck. If something does not look right, it should not simply be dismissed because the patient has come in for a routine dental appointment.

A few minutes can protect a patient

Taking a few extra minutes to check the throat, ears, neck and surrounding areas may seem like a small part of an appointment, but it can make a significant difference.

Dentists are not expected to diagnose every condition outside the mouth. Their role is to recognise when something is unusual, ask the right questions and arrange appropriate referral when necessary.

A patient may come in expecting a filling, a check-up or help with toothache. A careful examination could reveal something they had never noticed themselves.

For dentists, looking beyond the teeth is not about doing more for the sake of it. It is about providing complete patient care, recognising warning signs and making sure that potentially serious problems are not missed.


Category: Health, Wellness and Ergonomics, Hygiene
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