A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY---MEET IT TO SAVE LIVES

A recent statement in a dental professional publication reads:  “It is the responsibility of every dentist to be the first line of defense and patient advocate for prevention and early detection of oral cancer.”  That is a heavy responsibility, one for which you dentists are prepared via dental school training and current, pertinent C.E. courses.

A red or white patch detected during a comprehensive oral examination alerts you to begin further tests to determine whether the spot is benign, precancerous, or malignant.  Statistics support this imperative:

• In a busy practice, as many as 10% of patients examined have a red or white patch visible in the oral cavity.
• Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of all oral cancer.
• Men are affected by oral cancer twice as frequently as women.
• The mean age of occurrence is 65.  However, studies show women in the 30 to 40 age range are the fastest growing group of affected individuals.
• In the U.S., approximately 30,000 oral squamous cell carcinomas are diagnosed annually with about 9,000 deaths occurring each year.
• While the etiology of oral cancer is still unclear, primary risk factors include the use of tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol, human papilloma virus infection, excessive sun radiation, genetic predisposition, and the lack of comprehensive oral examinations.

You dentists ARE the first line of defense for prevention and early detection of oral cancer. This is another reason you and your staff can offer to convince patients of the importance of regular Recare appointments.  With careful, consistent comprehensive examinations of all patients, you can help control and eventually eliminate death from this dread disease.