Thank you for sending the Practice Newsletter recently. I was impressed to read about the quality awards the practice has won for 'customer service' etc. I would have expected nothing less as all your staff are always friendly and helpful. If you have to go to the dentist (and I would prefer not to) yours is a very nice one to visit.

However, there is something far more important! You and your colleagues have probably saved my life. You, in particular, have made me aware over the years that smoking and drinking (especially together) are not a good idea. Though it was very pleasant to get home, put supper on, pour a glass of red wine and light up. You did a test to show pre-cancer spots and I had some, so you warned me again of the risks I was running. You have mentioned this regularly. Some would call it 'nagging'. In April 2012 I
had an 'ulcer' which did not go away within a week or so as I anticipated. I couldn't see it and was suspicious, so I booked an emergency appointment. I saw Rob who thought it could be something associated with my tonsils, but definitely needed investigation.

Within 10 days I was in Maxillo-Facial at QMC and at the first visit they confirmed that it was cancer under my tongue. By the end of August I had completed all the treatment (surgery and radiotherapy) successfully.

Twelve months later I am being regularly monitored and I am free of cancer. I did ask the surgeon and oncologist what would happen if I declined the treatments they proposed. They were in no doubt that the tumour would grow and be very unpleasant and probably fatal. So I have you and Rob to thank for alerting me to the dangers of my bad habits and acting promptly when I suspected the tumour.

I think other patients might like to know about this. Making a dentist visit pleasant is a very good thing, saving a life is quite another.

Many thanks to you and all the team.