Industry News

As clinicians, we all know that oral cancer, when diagnosed in its later stages, can be disfiguring and deadly. We’ve also been trained to look at alcohol and tobacco use as two of the main factors, other than family history, that put patients in the high-risk category.

There is a relatively new risk factor that is rapidly overtaking smoking and drinking as the primary etiologic factor for newly-diagnosed cases of oral cancer: the oral human papillomavirus, or HPV. Of the 34,000 cases of oropharygeal cancers diagnosed each year, HPV is now found in up to 50 percent of them.1

Read more: Are We Limiting Our Standard of Care for Oral Cancer Diagnosis?

New survey shows an unmet need for education about denture care and the tools appropriate for proper maintenance

According to a new survey conducted by the makers of Polident® MicroClean™ denture cleanser, many denture wearers are making detrimental denture-cleaning mistakes, such as brushing with regular toothpaste (46 percent), which can cause scratches on the dentures where bacteria and other microorganisms can collect and grow.1 Recent studies show that oral health may affect overall health.2,3,4,5,6 It is essential that denture wearers get education on how to care for their dentures.

Read more: Denture Cleaning Routine May Promote Bacteria Growth

(Charlotte, NC—October 13, 2010) - National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s Toothfairy® (NCOHF) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have announced a partnership that will expand oral healthcare access to millions of underserved children through Tomorrow’s SMILES® and the America’s Toothfairy Dental Home Program™.

Tomorrow’s SMILES was created and initially funded by a gift from Dr. Ronald Goldstein, a highly respected clinician, author and lecturer.  NCOHF has developed partnerships with leading dental organizations to identify caring professionals in communities across the country willing to provide promising at-risk teens with pro bono care. Through this program, eligible Boys & Girls Club members will receive comprehensive esthetic and restorative services, transforming their smiles, renewing their self-esteem, and ensuring that they are better prepared for healthy and productive futures. In return, Tomorrow’s SMILES students will share valuable oral health lessons with younger Club members through the program’s Pay-It-Forward component, ensuring that good hygiene habits are instilled early in a child’s life.

Read more: NCOHF Brings Oral Health Services to At-Risk Children