Are dentists becoming the first line of defense in the fight against cancer? Routine oral cancer screenings are rapidly being considered standard-of-care at examinations and hygiene appointments, and some providers are offering testing for other conditions as well. Healthcare researchers note that nearly 70 percent of people visit the dentist within a given year, in most cases more frequently than they see a doctor, to the point where a patient's dentist could be considered their primary care provider.

The past few years have seen a marked increase in the availability of minimally-invasive tests for everything from diabetes to HIV, requiring a droplet of gingival blood or a salivary swab. These simple tests can often return results by the end of a hygiene appointment, and provide earlier warning of diseases that otherwise would go unnoticed until symptoms appeared.

Salivary biomarkers for breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancers have been identified, meaning non-invasive testing for an entire panel of malignancies is now possible to administer in a single examination. The recent identification of a salivary biomarker for pancreatic cancer is particularly exciting, since it is often cited as one of the most deadly cancers. As with any cancer, early detection is the greatest contributor to survival rates. Cancer screening in the dental office could identify cancers at a pre-symptomatic stage of progression, allowing for unprecedented early detection for a wide range of the population and therefore dramatically better treatment outcomes.

Many dentists balk at including these new screenings in their practices, as many of these testing kits are expensive. Some require sophisticated laboratory equipment to obtain the result and are arguably better-suited to clinics or hospitals. However, the fact remains that access to such screening trails behind other preventative care in terms of availability and insurance coverage. Routine hygiene appointments are often covered by patient dental insurance, where as a visit to the local clinic for testing can be expensive.

As dentistry continues to assume a wider field of roles in healthcare, practitioners are diversifying the range of services they offer, including diagnostic screenings aimed at prevention or detection of diseases as well as cosmetic and spa treatments.

Sources:
UCLA Dentistry discovers cellular signals between pancreatic cancer tumors and saliva. (2013, October 8). Retrieved May 19, 2016, from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-10/uoc--udd100813.php

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 106 Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor, should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 3250 Airport Way S, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98134. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
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