Oral cancer screening, dental needs assessment and risk factors literacy in Hispanic population of western New York.

Thus far in 2007, 5370 people have died of oral cancer in the United States. While early detection is vital for most cancers, it is of utmost importance in the case of oral cancer, because most oral cancers are detected at advanced stages. It is important to focus on those groups at highest risk. In terms of oral cancer, men over the age of 40 in lower socio-economic groups who smoke, drink alcohol heavily and who have an unhealthy diet are at higher risk for developing oral cancer. Hispanics exhibit many of these high risk characteristics. Unfortunately, those at higher risk are also less likely to be screened for oral cancer than those at lower risk, because they make fewer regular dental visits. This paper presents the results from an ongoing outreach program developed by the School of Dental Medicine (SDM) at the University at Buffalo that was undertaken to assess the dental needs of and provide oral cancer screening and basic oral health instructions to the Hispanic community of Western New York. A total of 110 community members volunteered to participate in this program. The overall goal of the SDM is to increase its presence in the community in order to assist with treatment needs.