MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Beginning: I would like to start by introducing the definition of gingivitis and what it can lead to. Then I want to discuss some of the guidelines for head and neck screening for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This will allow the reader to have some background on how periodontal diseases can lead to additional health issues and what protocol should be followed for head and neck cancer screening. Finally this will then lead in to my thesis statement showing that there is a positive correlation between poor oral healthcare and cardiovascular diseases and a lack of screening for cancer in areas such as the mouth, head, and neck. Also this document establishes in part that dental care should be seen as an important part of public health as well as individual dental care.

Middle: To support my initial statement, I first want to discuss the role of dentists in public health and how the field of dentistry is an important part of public health as well as individual dental care. Also I want to discuss how oral healthcare and periodontal diseases can lead to different systemic diseases.


End: At the end, I would like to discuss that dentistry is a growing field, meaning that more research is currently being done in this area and there is a lot of room for growth. Because there has been a positive correlation between poor oral healthcare, cardiovascular diseases and a lack of screening for cancer I would like to elaborate on what causes periodontal disease and how they can be prevented. Finally I would like to close by saying what the ADA says about these emerging best clinical practices and I will give some direction that gives dental students a script to follow for these patient-checks.

Logos: I would mainly like to focus on the information that is provided by my authors because they are practicing dentists and dental researchers. However, I would also like to take a look at different cancer websites to be able to have additional information on head and neck cancer and how it can be prevented. This will also help with providing guidelines for head and neck cancer screening.

Pathos: Periodontal diseases and gingivitis are considered minor diseases compared to the systemic health problems that can occur if they are untreated. So in my paper it will be important to provide insight on what causes periodontal disease and how they can be prevented and to discuss the details of the importance of having dental evaluations for head and neck cancer screening.

Ethos: My credibility will be established due to the fact that my information will be coming from peer-reviewed journal articles and that my authors are practicing dentists and dental researchers. In addition, I have an extensive background in dentistry that includes shadowing in many dental offices in different settings, as well as shadowing different specialties of dentistry. This will allow me to use my knowledge of that in my paper as well.

Structure: I would like to use a lemon shape for my paper, by introducing the subject, having 4 main points and then closing it off

W, I think you do not have to spend too much time explaining p.d. and g.

Most of your audience will know this material from the first year classes. This means you can move quickly toward the novel information from public health and the medical specialties that concern cancer (head, neck, and mouth) and the cardiovascular/inflammation hypothesis.

I think you will need to divide the document into two sections. I also wonder if you will find that the page count is such that one document will be sufficient for this assignment. Work on this over the weekend, then consult with me.

Possible headings?

Dentists as Public Health Sentinels: Two Areas

1) Head and Neck Cancer Screenings

2) Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease: Brief Rereview

(then these subheads)
Link to Cardiovascular Disease

Inflammation Theory

(final section)
Recommendations for Dental Practice (be sure to use ADA sources here)