Once again, we recognize April as Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. In previous years, I have taken the opportunity to outline some of the grim oral cancer statistics that seem to march ad nauseam from the past right into the present, remaining virtually unchanged. This year, my brief comments will be a bit different. First off, I would like all of our readers to take a moment of silence to remember those who continue to live with cancer, or have died from this dreaded disease.
When we hear that there are still many clinicians who do not perform a thorough oral cancer exam routinely, we really have to question what would it take to get them to do what is right. One has to wonder, would these professionals be complacent with their patients if they had experienced the ordeal of head and neck cancer with a family member, found too late for effective early intervention, and perhaps faced with radical and debilitating surgeries in the head and neck? Or, what if it were you with a later-stage cancer that had once been so small that it had been detectable only using very careful examination technique along with the help of the latest screening/detection devices or other technologies?
In our Viewpoint this month, we feature a heartfelt article by Dr. Larry Hamburg, a stage IV oral cancer survivor. Hopefully, his passion for making serious changes in how the profession handles the early screening protocol for this devastating disease will impact you as much as it did me. I want to thank him for his courage in sharing his own experience with oral cancer and for his resolve to make a major impact on our progress as a profession in prevention and earlier detection.
In other articles this month, Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA, discusses how to achieve predictable teeth whitening outcomes; Dr. David Clark, in part 2 of a 3-part article series, places direct composite restorations using an injection overmolding technique; Dr. Wendy Clark et al outline the keys to a successful implant practice; Dr. Allan Deutsch, in our cover-featured article, explains how he and others have increased clinical success rates in endodontics; Dr. Tim Kosinski outlines ways to optimize socket preservation; Dr. Trent Lally et al discuss a new warm obturation technology; Dr. Mike Malone reviews how optimal outcomes are related to material selection; and Dr. Barry McArdle discusses soft-tissue aesthetics versus material choices.
In our formally peer-reviewed CE selection, available for 2 FAGD/MAGD CEUs, Dr. Jason Flores outlines 7 protective reflexes that patients may demonstrate when undergoing dental treatment.
Please enjoy this exciting issue of Dentistry Today!
