Lothian dentists spread mouth cancer messages

Prestonpans practice hosting Mouth Cancer Awareness Month events

24 November, 2015 / infocus
 

Family Dental Care in Prestonpans will be hosting a range of oral health activities this week to mark Mouth Cancer Awareness Month.

The East Lothian practice will feature an interactive stall to provide information and raise awareness of the importance of oral health and the risk factors for mouth cancer. Free samples of toothpaste and other products will also be available and the care pathway will also be highlighted for anyone who has concerns.

Staff at the practice will also be hosting fundraising events for The Ben Walton Trust, a charity dedicated to raising the profile of mouth cancer in the UK.

Charles Crummey, principal Dentist at Family Dental Care East Lothian, said: “This is a major health issue across the UK with more deaths per annum, from mouth cancer in the UK, than fatalities in road traffic accidents.”

And Nirmal Shah, dentist at Family Dental Care, who initiated the local Mouth Cancer Awareness Month campaign, said: “Early detection is vital in improving the chance of survival. We need to be raising awareness of the risk factors and what people can do to help prevent the disease. People can reduce the risk of mouth cancer by limiting the amount of alcohol they consume, not smoking and adopting a healthy lifestyle”

“In younger patients, and some other groups, mouth cancer has been linked with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Mouth cancer can arise at any age and isn’t always associated with the traditional risk factors, hence we should raise our index of suspicion.”

Dentists will be available to discuss oral health matters and will be present at the practice on the High Street in Prestonpans in November on Wednesday 25 between 4.30pm and 8pm, and Thursday 26 and Friday 27 between 8am and 5.30pm.

Tags: Ben Walton Trust / Family Dental Care / Mouth Cancer Awareness Month

Categories: News

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