Oral Cancer – can you spot it?

04 November 2013
News
01 January 0001
Volume 29 · Issue 9

Philips Oral Healthcare is hosting an oral cancer webinar presented by Prof Michael Lewis, PhD, FDSRCPS, FRCPath, FDSRCS(Ed), FDSRCS(Eng), FFGDP(UK), FHEA, dean and head of the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University.  The webinar takes place on Wednesday November 6th during Mouth Cancer Action Month (November 1-30, 2013).

In his talk entitled Oral Cancer – Can you spot it? Prof Lewis will highlight that approximately 6,500 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year.  Despite improvements in surgical management and use of radiotherapy, the five year survival of this devastating disease remains poor at 50 per cent.  Detection of lesions when small (less than 2cm in diameter) is a major factor that is associated with improved prognosis.  Full examination of the oral soft tissue is an essential component of every routine dental examination.  In addition, a number of special investigations that can be employed to aid early detection of malignant and potentially malignant conditions are available.

The learning objectives

Following the webinar participants will:

  • Have an appreciation of the different ways by which oral cancer may present

  • Have knowledge of those conditions which should be regarded as potentially malignant and their management.

  • Have an understanding of the range and role of special investigations that may be used to assist detection of oral cancer

  • Gain an assessment of their ability to detect oral cancer by use of a self assessed interactive quiz

The fit with Philips is a good one.  The brushes in the Sonicare range use the latest sonic technology to clean the oral cavity highly effectively, yet supremely gently to ensure patients with oral health problems such as oral cancers achieve an exemplary level of cleanliness without damaging sensitive tissues and lesions, so necessary to ensure that their treatment and overall health are not further compromised.  There is even a special sensitive brush head which can be interchanged with all the Sonicare brush handles which is even more caring to damaged gingiva.

For patients with oral cancer who are immunologically compromised, the addition of a Philips UV Sanitiser with its FlexCare Platinum toothbrush enables them to eliminate 99 per cent of selected germs from their toothbrush heads, so that they do not risk developing potentially detrimental infections.

How to participate

The oral cancer webinar runs at 6.30 pm on Wednesday November 6th  2013 on Dentinaltubules, the learning portal for dental professionals.  The session will run on two sections of the site. Premium members can view the webinar at http://www.dentinaltubules.com/live/oral-cancer-webinar and have an additional benefit of a live chat option.  Whilst any dental professionals can view the webinar on Philips’ Partner page which can be accessed by visiting http://www.dentinaltubules.com/partners/philips-oral-healthcare/content/oral-cancer-webinar.

Viewers do not need to sign up for the webiniar in advance, instead they simply login to the page at 6.30 on November 6th and webinar will appear.

For more information about the Sonicare toothbrushes most suitable to help patients with oral cancer please telephone 0800 0567 222.  The same number can be used to ask about special offers for November to help practices gear up for Christmas.