FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > The Role of Dentists in Public Health in Two Areas: detecting cardiovascular disease risk and screening for mouth, head, and neck cancers.

Abstract
Many people have been diagnosed with either head or neck cancer, but routine screenings have not been common among most dentists but more so ENT doctors. One trend in dentistry that could have an impact on head and neck screenings would be to have a group practice that includes a variety of different dentists and doctors. According to the ADA, more dentists are seeking to form these group clinical practices after graduation so that they can provide more in house treatment to make dental experiences more efficient. While everyone should get screened for both head and neck cancer you’re more susceptible to head and neck cancer if you’re an abuser of either alcohol or tobacco. As a result of tobacco abuse HPV can be linked to orophangeal cancer which is found in the throat. In addition to orophangeal cancer other head and neck cancers that are prevalent in public health are lip and oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, and metastatic squamous neck cancer. Due to the risk of head and neck cancer, I feel it is important to discuss the benefits of a format for patient checks that include monitoring patients for recurrence, screening for second primary cancers, assessment and management of long-term and late effects, and health promotion.

Reader's Profile:
My primary readers will be dental professors and dental students

Reader's Response:
My fear is that dental professionals who have been practicing for several years have not been informing their patients about head and neck cancer as well as performing routine evaluations every visit. Due to the fact that there are many people who abuse alcohol or tobacco, dental screening should be mandatory for every patient.
December 10, 2016 | Unregistered CommenterWilliam Foncham
W, did you find detail on what the ADA recommends? Check out this document. Also, look at the dental biomedical literature about how this current community of dentists are trained on the new information for best clinical practices.
https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/bringing-disease-prevention-to-communities_adh.ashx
December 11, 2016 | Registered CommenterMarybeth Shea