April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is now the leading cause of all oropharyngeal cancers according to the Oral Cancer Foundation (https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/hpv/hpv-oral-cancer-facts/). It has never been more critical for dental providers to screen for early detection and share with patients the risks of oral cancer.
In my work coaching dental teams across the country, I find that most dental professionals rarely discuss the risks of HPV with their patients. Becoming comfortable talking about the relationship between oral sex and oral cancer is imperative because 85% of Americans will become infected with HPV in their lifetimes and will therefore be at risk for oropharyngeal cancer (https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/). Here are some other important statistics:
Reach out to me at Kathryn@inspiredhygiene.com for help with these vitally important and potentially life-saving conversations.
To schedule a complimentary Discovery Session to learn more about the potential of your hygiene department, click here, call us at (704) 541-0995, or email us at info@inspiredhygiene.com.
