How a Routine Dental Visit Led to a Life-Saving Tumour Discovery
Steve Power’s Story
Visiting the dentist is something many of us put off, often due to fear, bad past experiences, or simply not prioritising our oral health. For Steve Power, however, making that long-overdue call to Love the Dentist Mobberley turned out to be more than just a step toward better dental care—it was a decision that may have saved his life.
As we celebrate National Smile Month, Steve’s story is a powerful reminder of why taking care of our oral health is so important. Regular dental visits don’t just keep our teeth and gums healthy—they can also play a vital role in detecting underlying health issues before they become serious.
"If anything I say helps someone take the first step, that would be fantastic"
Like many people, he had always struggled with dental health, largely due to discomfort in attending dental appointments. “I was suffering mild pains and ‘encouraged’ by my wife—not just because of the pain but because of the longer-term consequences,” he explains. “I decided the time had come.”
"I phoned around all of the local dental surgeries and the difference was quite stark. Everyone else felt quite cold and transactional - the focus on me as a patient was evident from the start of the first phone call to Love the Dentist.
Despite the slightly higher initial consultation fee, he immediately felt that Love the Dentist was the right place for him. “Even at that stage, I felt that Love the Dentist was where I wanted to go,” he says.
From that very first visit, Marc, his dentist, took the time to create a personalised treatment plan with clear aims and objectives.
"That’s what we set out to do, together. I felt like it wasn’t just him doing it to me, but something we were working on together."
However, during the investigative stage of his treatment, Marc made an unexpected discovery: a saliva stone in the floor of Steve’s mouth. “As a consequence, he paused the treatment plan and referred me for further tests,” Steve explains.
One test led to another, eventually uncovering something far more serious—a tumour near his ear.
“It was fortuitous that one set of testing identified a separate problem that then resulted in a further range of tests,” he says. “The conclusion was that it was probably benign, supported by initial biopsy results. However, it was identified as potentially long-term cancerous.”
After a visit with his wife to the consultant, Steve opted for an operation to remove the tumour. “It was Covid times, and the path to the op wasn’t smooth, but it eventually went ahead,” he recalls. “Tests on the removed tumour confirmed the biopsy results; not cancerous but with the potential to be so.”
The operation came with a range of potential risks, but Steve was fortunate. “It was a success, with no lasting damage,” he says.
Reflecting on the experience, Steve is forever grateful to Marc and the entire team at Love the Dentist Mobberley.
"What started as a phone call to get a little pain relief resulted in potential life-saving tests and a major five-hour operation under general anaesthetic."
While he admits that he still wouldn’t say he “loves” going to the dentist, he knows that every visit is a positive one—warm, welcoming, and above all, professional. “With hand on heart, I can’t say I love going to the dentist, but it’s never a bad experience,” he says.
"If you want a dental surgery that delivers the best, Love the Dentist Mobberley is the place for you."
Steve’s journey is a testament to the power of regular dental check-ups.
May is National Smile Month, so it’s fitting to let his story be a reminder that prioritising your oral health can have life-changing benefits. Don’t wait for a problem, schedule your dental check-up today and take the first step toward a healthier smile and a healthier you.
