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By Robert M. Anderton, D.D.S., J.D., LL.M
Oral cancer kills one American almost every hour — about 8,000 a year — and it’s not just the smokers, chewers and heavy drinkers who are at risk. Of the 30,000 victims in the United States each year (20,000 are men), roughly 25 percent don't fit into any of those categories. As with many other cancers, the best defense is a good offense. Early detection can help improve the chances for successful treatment. That's why a nationwide campaign now being conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) is encouraging Americans to learn more about the disease and visit their dentist for a screening.
Signs to look for When necessary, dentists can now perform a quick, painless "brush biopsy" screening test, using a special brush to remove tissue specimens from the mouth. Computer analysis can then determine the presence of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. The screening also helps determine whether more comprehensive tests, such as a surgical biopsy, or other follow-ups are needed. On the research front, scientists are now looking at a newly identified gene that appears to play a key role in the development of oral cancer. Other oral cancer diagnostic tools, such as the use of special types of mouth rinses, are also being studied.
Good News for Kids Sprayed in the nose, rather than being injected or swallowed like other vaccines, it works by stimulating immunity to the enzyme responsible for the accumulation of the decay-causing microorganisms on teeth. Researchers at Boston's Forsyth Institute, who discovered the antigen, have received approval to begin clinical trials.
No More Root Canals? This revolutionary research is being conducted at the ADA Health Foundation's Paffenbarger Research Center, in Gaithersburg, Md. Scientists there also report a breakthrough in bone cements, making them more malleable and much better for dental treatment. The researchers added "plasticizers," or softeners, that make the cements mold, much like putty, so that they can be more easily placed into dental sites, such as from a fresh tooth extraction or areas of periodontal bone loss. The cement then sets and facilitates the formation of new bone. This cement should also cut healing time for patients receiving dental implants. For example, the bone cement could help to secure a dental implant that has been placed into a freshly extracted tooth socket, shortening the normal six-week or longer healing time and eliminating the need for a second surgical procedure. It is expected to be available within the next few years. For more information about oral health care, visit the American Dental Association's Web site at www.ada.org. Dr. Anderton is president of the American Dental Association. |
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