As Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month begins in April, the California Dental Association (CDA) is urging dentists and dental teams to intensify patient education, routine screenings and prevention efforts to help combat oral cancer, a disease experts say often develops without obvious early warning signs.
According to data cited by the Oral Cancer Foundation, an estimated 58,500 Americans will be diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer in 2026, while more than 8,000 deaths are expected during the same period. Survival rates remain a concern, with only 43% of newly diagnosed patients projected to survive five years, underscoring the need for earlier detection.
CDA said dentists are uniquely positioned to identify suspicious symptoms during regular checkups and to educate patients about emerging risk factors, including the growing role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral cancers.
A Disease Often Detected Too Late
Oral cancer includes cancers affecting the mouth, tongue, lips, throat and salivary glands. Because symptoms can be subtle or absent in the early stages, many cases are not discovered until the disease has progressed.
That delay in diagnosis remains one of the most significant challenges in treatment outcomes.
Health experts note that when oral cancer is detected early, the survival rate can rise to 80% to 90%, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. However, because many patients are diagnosed at a later stage, mortality rates remain disproportionately high.
CDA is encouraging dentists to maintain a high level of vigilance during exams and to use patient visits as an opportunity to discuss warning signs and the importance of reporting unusual oral changes promptly.
HPV Emerges as a Major Risk Factor
While tobacco and alcohol use have long been recognized as major contributors to oral cancer, HPV has emerged as a leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers, particularly among younger populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 70% of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV, reflecting a significant shift in the disease’s risk profile.
CDA said this trend highlights the need for dental professionals to broaden patient conversations beyond traditional risk factors and include discussions around HPV-related cancer prevention.
During routine visits, dentists can help patients understand how HPV may affect oral health, recognize potential warning signs and learn about steps that may reduce the risk of infection.
Dentists Encouraged to Discuss HPV Vaccination
The CDA is also encouraging its members to speak directly with patients about the importance of the HPV vaccine, which is widely recognized for its ability to help prevent certain cancers.
“To have a cancer prevention vaccine is a scientific milestone,” said Tooka Zokaie, CDA senior health policy analyst. “When dentists, physicians and health educators work together to promote HPV vaccines and increase vaccination rates, that’s a public health marvel.”
The organization said dental professionals can play a key role in strengthening public confidence in the vaccine, particularly because they frequently see patients who may not otherwise receive oral cancer-related education in other healthcare settings.
CDA Expands Resources for Dental Teams
To support Oral Cancer Awareness Month and ongoing prevention efforts, CDA is directing dentists to a range of educational tools and professional development resources available through its Community Oral Health Resources page.
These resources include:
- HPV Vaccination and Dentists in California
- HPV and Dentist Champions
- Educational materials from other trusted health organizations
The association also highlighted two recent articles published in the Journal of the California Dental Association focused on detection and prevention:
- Detecting and Preventing Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: The Oral Health Practitioner’s Role
- Clinical Practice Guideline on Early Detection of Oral Cancer and Potentially Malignant Disorders: An Executive Summary
Both articles offer continuing education credit through an online quiz for those who complete the requirements by Dec. 31, 2026.
Courses to Spotlight Screening and Patient Experience
CDA will further address oral cancer and HPV prevention during CDA Presents in Anaheim, May 14–16, where attendees will have access to multiple courses designed for the entire dental practice team.
Featured sessions include:
- Beyond the Exam: Oral Cancer Awareness, Screening and Protocols
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): What the Dental Team Must Know
- Oral Cancer: The Patient’s Experience
CDA said these sessions are intended to help dental teams strengthen screening protocols, improve patient communication and better understand the real-world impact of an oral cancer diagnosis.
A Frontline Role in Prevention
As awareness efforts expand this month, CDA is reminding dental professionals that routine screenings and informed conversations can have life-saving consequences.
With oral cancer rates remaining significant and HPV-related cases continuing to rise, the association said dental practices have an important role to play in prevention and early intervention — one screening, one discussion and one patient at a time.
Tags: disease