As Oral Cancer Awareness month wraps up, it is an opportune time for West Virginia University School of Dentistry and WVU Dental to emphasize the importance of screenings that could lead to early detection and treatment of cancerous lesions or precancers.
To best serve patients, the Department of Diagnostic Sciences takes the lead on oral cancer education, guiding dental and dental hygiene students through oral cancer screenings and introducing them to the intricacies of detecting problems early.
Students learn from a department of board-certified specialists, who in some cases may be the only provider in the state with their specialty certification or one of very few nationwide. Those faculty dentists and a team of assistants prepare students to recognize possible cases of oral cancer and understand biopsies and referral processes.
The department provides a diverse and rare opportunity for students at WVU’s dental school to study oral pathology and radiology utilizing unique technology for the most thorough approaches to care.
When it comes to awareness, it is common for faculty and students to embrace interprofessional learning by teaming up with other established programs and health care professionals to reach as many patients as possible, and as soon as possible, with the facts about oral cancer, screenings and resources for treatment and care.
Most recently, November 4, 2022, dentistry joined the inaugural WV Pink and Pearl Campaign. Students and faculty added an oral cancer awareness element to the breast and lung cancer screening event. The Department of Dental Hygiene faculty, including Ms. Elizabeth Puette, produces a large number of volunteer future hygienists for oral cancer awareness events and they often incorporate discussions about risk factors, screening, detecting and more at a patient’s first visit. Madison Shaw, a junior dental hygiene student participated recently. "Being a part of the Pink and Pearl campaign was a great opportunity to get involved with my community and raise awareness of not only oral cancer, but also breast and lung cancer. I had the privilege to volunteer alongside other health professionals, which was an awesome learning experience," Shaw said.
Click to learn about risk factors, screening, detecting and diagnosing oral cancer.
WVU Dental operates the clinics where WVU School of Dentistry students, faculty and residents provide oral healthcare. The Department of Diagnostic Sciences oral and maxillofacial pathologist and radiologist, along with an oral medicine expert, work toward better patient outcomes in various ways.
They provide clinical, biopsy (laboratory) and imaging services at a patient’s request or following a referral from other clinicians. Call 304-293-9253. Referral forms can be emailed to SODreferrals@hsc.wvu.edu.
WVU Dental diagnostic sciences can expeditiously offer cone beam CT scans, biopsies, radiographs, panoramic images and when necessary, non-surgical management of ulcerative conditions, salivary gland disorders and oral complications secondary to cancer treatments.
Below is a list of some of the oral cancer awareness initiatives involving WVU School of Dentistry and WVU Dental.
February 2020
The dental school joined in on a research project focusing on a new method to screen for oral cancer.
July 2021
WVU Medicine and WVU School of Dentistry collaborated to allow oral cancer patients to receive dental implants at the time of cancer surgery through an innovative approach called the Alberta Reconstructive Technique.
September 2021
More than 150 oral cancer screenings were provided by dental school students and providers.