This year, during Dental Health Week, the ADA and Australian Dental Health Foundation (ADHF) are partnering with Throat Scope® to coordinate free oral health screening clinics in select Amcal pharmacies around Australia.
These screenings, which will take place on Saturday 10th August between 10 am and 3 pm, are aimed at helping Australians avoid the effects of oral cancer, with each pre-booked 15-minute oral health screening undertaken by registered dental professionals using Throat Scope's illuminated tongue depressor.
These screenings will take place in participating pharmacies in the following locations:
VICTORIA – Tooronga, Beaconsfield, Drysdale, Highton, Glenroy, Geelong West, Portland, Bairnsdale, Robinvale, Hamlyn Heights
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Burswood
NEW SOUTH WALES – North Ryde, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Milperra, Moree, Wadalba
TASMANIA – North Hobart, West Hobart, Shearwater, Deloraine
QUEENSLAND – Beerwah, Deception Bay, Smithfield, Mooloolah Valley, Nambour, Oakey
The ADA and ADHF are seeking local dentists to donate their time in one or more two-hour blocks to conduct these valuable screenings (all equipment will be provided free of charge), the importance of which has been emphasised by Dr Michael Foley, Vice Chair of the ADA's Oral Health Committee:
"When Australians think of cancer it does not immediately come to mind that cancer can occur in the mouth. However, certain habits can increase a person's risk of developing oral cancer – such as tobacco and alcohol which increases that risk by more than 80%. Heavy tobacco and alcohol consumers increase their risk by 38 times compared to those who do not consume these products. Oral cancer can also be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) obtained from unprotected oral sex. If picked up early, oral cancer can be addressed relatively well – an 85% 5-year survival rate. However, the sad reality is that oral cancer is typically detected when advanced, where the 5-year survival rate can be as low as 9%."
People agreeing to undergo a screening will be asked to sign a comprehensive waiver, and if any abnormality or potential abnormality is detected, they will be referred for further dental or medical attention.
If you would like to be involved with this valuable program, please contact ADA Oral Health Promoter, Dr Mikaela Chinotti on 02-8815 3349 or [email protected]
