Speaking during a Parliamentary debate on NHS dentistry, Mrs Lockhart urged both the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to examine how a scheme providing free dental care for cancer patients could be introduced.

Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Cancer treatment can have a devastating impact on oral health. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments can cause significant damage to teeth and gums, often leaving patients with painful and long-lasting dental complications that continue long after their cancer treatment has ended.”

“If we are serious about providing genuine wraparound support for cancer patients, access to dental care must be part of that commitment. Too often, patients face additional health challenges as a direct result of the treatment they have undergone, yet are left to navigate the costs of dental care at a time when they should be focused on recovery.”

“Cancer treatment does not end when a patient leaves hospital. The support available to patients should not end there either. We must ensure that those who have already faced the physical and emotional burden of cancer are not left struggling with preventable oral health problems.”

Mrs Lockhart said that providing free dental treatment for cancer patients would not only improve quality of life for individuals but could also help prevent more serious health complications and reduce pressure on the wider health service.

She continued:

“Early intervention and access to appropriate dental treatment can help prevent conditions from deteriorating and reduce the need for more complex and costly treatment in the future. This is about supporting recovery, protecting long-term health and ensuring patients receive the care they need.”



“I have asked both the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to examine how this proposal could be delivered. Cancer patients deserve a healthcare system that recognises the full impact of their treatment and provides the support necessary to help them recover and rebuild their lives.”