….Help us spread the word!
When found in the early stages of development oral cancer patients have an 80-90% survival rate. Unfortunately the majority of cases are found as late-stage cancers, accounting for the high death rate of approximately 45% at five years from diagnosis.
Here is the newest information regarding oral cancer. Tobacco and chronic alcohol use are not the only cause for concern….
An increasing body of evidence points to a strong link between particular strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV, most notably strain 16) and a certain type of oral cancer that occurs in the oropharynx (the throat). HPV 16 is the same strain associated with almost all cervical cancer. Many experts have recommended that all adult patients over the age of 18 receive a thorough intra-oral and extra-oral head and neck exam annually. Stonegate Dental follows these recommendations for its patients now. Currently, Oral Cancer is the fastest growing cancer in young people ages 30 and younger! However the high death rate of 45% is unacceptable and we want to make a change for early diagnosis and improve the survival rate!
Providing the highest standard of care for our patients is very important. You can count on us to complete our intra-oral and extra-oral visual cancer check at every hygiene appointment. Oral Cancer Screenings allows Dr.’s Blatter, Ricks and Klein and/or the hygienist at Stonegate Dental to assess the health of your mouth. Dr.’s Blatter, Ricks and Klein recommend the Oral Cancer screening 1 time a year for all patients 13 and older. Caring for your Oral Health is our #1 priority!
Please make sure to schedule your Oral Cancer screening with your next Hygiene visit.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
April Kenworthy, RDH and Vicki Earnshaw, RDH
