Routine dental visits are playing a critical role in early detection of oral cancer, experts say, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention in reducing mortality rates.
“When people know that their dentists are screening them for cancer, it not only reassures them but also makes them more likely to come back when they notice a warning sign,” said Dr. Carol Martin, president of the Alberta Dental Association.
Oral health professionals emphasize that these screenings, which examine the tongue, cheeks, throat, and surrounding tissues, are quick, painless, and vital for identifying disease at an early stage.
“Early detection saves lives, and it often starts in the dental chair,” said Melanie Johnston-Dore, president of the Dental Hygienists Association of Alberta.
The urgency for increased awareness is growing. The Canadian Cancer Society reports that approximately 5,800 men and 2,300 women will be diagnosed with head and neck cancers in Canada this year. With the country’s population expanding and aging, the overall burden of cancer is expected to rise in the coming decades. Mortality rates remain high, largely due to late-stage diagnoses.
Despite known risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, public understanding remains limited. A recent Alberta survey found that only 38 per cent of respondents recognized HPV as a major contributor to oral and oropharyngeal cancers.
For patients like Cicci, the message aligns with what oral health professionals stress: prevention begins with awareness and maintaining regular dental appointments. “They may save your life,” she said.
National Dental Hygienists Week Focuses on Prevention
National Dental Hygienists Week™, taking place April 4 to 10, emphasizes the theme “Oral Health for Total Health,” led by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). The campaign highlights how routine hygiene visits extend beyond teeth cleaning to monitoring conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer.
“This week is a significant event in the dental hygiene community,” said CDHA president Donna Lee. “It recognizes the vital contributions dental hygienists make to both oral and overall health and well-being.”
Dental hygienists, Canada’s seventh-largest regulated health profession, play a key role in patient education, guiding habits such as brushing, interdental cleaning, and tobacco cessation.
Polling released in February by CDHA and conducted by Abacus Data found that 96 per cent of Canadians hold a positive view of dental hygienists, with more than eight in 10 considering them essential to the health-care system. The survey also showed strong awareness of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with 85 per cent familiar with the program and 92 per cent acknowledging its role in improving access. Still, respondents cited challenges such as wait times and difficulties finding participating providers.
“Canadians are sending a clear message: they trust dental hygienists, they value prevention, and they want oral health to be treated as an essential part of health care,” Lee said.
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