Hello Sue and thanks for posting

I am not surprised at your shock and concern regarding this letter.

Whilst most people referred on a suspected cancer (2 week referral) pathway won't go on to be diagnosed with cancer it is the quickest way someone can be seen so that any tests needed can be carried out swiftly.

It is disappointing that the dentist didn't say any more to your daughter about what they are thinking and it may be helpful for her to call the dental practice and ask to speak to the dentist to find out more.

From what has been said it sounds like they have detected a suspicious area in the mouth that needs a closer inspection. There could be many reasons for this and as I say, most won't be down to cancer but it is important this is looked into, just to be sure.

You or your daughter are welcome to call the nurses on 0808 800 4040 Monday-Friday 9-5 but I would also encourage your daughter to find our more from dentist to give her some greater understanding about the situation.

All the best to you both and I hope everything works out okay.

Take care

Naomi

I could literally write a book on teeth and issues surrounding them. For the last two years, I have had umpteen root canals as i suffer from nighttime grinding/clenching (bruxism), and basically destroyed most of my molars.

Anyway, during my last visit to the Endodontist (root canal specialist, around August), something had been picked up between my top 1st molar and the molar behind it. A weird dark area. It was originally assumed it was to do with the tooth that was being fixed.  Both the dentist and Endo thought it was a bone infection. However, it hasn't cleared up after the tooth was fixed, so i got a referral to the oral surgeon. Initially got put in under the quick referral scheme. But the surgeon obviously looked at it and thought it was nothing sinister. So the appointment is now your inane "how long is a piece of string" type referral. So who knows how long the wait will be.

I was really worried about this, but the dentist reassured me a referral to an oral surgeon happens when they find odd and wonderful things they can't explain. It's what they specialise in. They see odd and wonderful things all the time. Cancer was mentioned at one point to me too, but kinda went to the wayside.

I think mine has now been filed under dense bone caused by my bruxism. but it will still require a dental panoramic xray and dental CT scan.

Out of interest, was she having issues with the teeth close to the anomaly, or was it just a coincidental finding?

It is a lower back tooth. The upper wisdom was taken out a couple of months ago and this was found in a routine check up. The scary thing is the letter saying cancer. I know it's one in 10 but it's still quite high. Thank you so much for your kind reply. It really has helped. I know I'm being hysterical but when something is rushed through that quickly it's scary.

Thanks again xx

Just a follow up. My daughter has seen the oral surgeon who was very suprised that she had the urgent referral.  The dark shadow is unexplained but the worse case scenario is she could lose the tooth. We can definitely live with that. Thank you  both for your kind words.  

From a very releived mum x