Bromley and Beckenham Section - Oral cancer

What to expect

Neil Shah will show how the dental team contributes to oral cancer care, focusing on early detection, treatment, and survivorship. Drawing on surgical expertise, the SEND trial, and lived perspectives, this session strengthens understanding and supports improved outcomes for patients.

Timings

18:45 Registration

19:30 Lecture - Neil Shah

20:30 Networking

21:00 Finish

Learning objectives

• Recognise the dental team’s role in detection/communication
• Understand surgical and radiotherapy effects
• Value teamwork, leadership, and advocacy
• Reflect on empathy and resilience in survivorship.

Development outcomes

A, B, C and D

Meet the speaker

Neil Shah is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial / Head and Neck Surgeon with over 20 years’ experience treating oral cancer, including complex head and neck cancer resection and free flap reconstruction. He led London Cancer’s early diagnosis programme and was a key author in the landmark SEND trial, advocating elective neck dissections for early tongue cancer. He has recently developed the UK’s first photography-based tele-triage system for suspected oral cancer. Following his own diagnosis and treatment, Neil now brings a dual perspective as surgeon and survivor, championing early detection, patient-centred care, supportive dentistry after surgery and radiotherapy, and the importance of advocacy in long-term survivorship. He is also a Patron of Saving Faces – The Facial Surgery Research Foundation.