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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Dental School Faculty Establishes National Oral Cancer Standard
Michael A. Siegel, DDS, MS, FDS RCSEd.
Michael A. Siegel, DDS, MS, FDS RCSEd, professor and chair, Department of Diagnostic Sciences (oral medicine) at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine, and professor of internal medicine (dermatology) at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, approached the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) to inquire about establishing an academic standard that will mandate all dental students in the U.S. be able to perform a screening and risk assessment for head and neck cancer. CODA is the accrediting body chartered by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit dental programs. In 2006, approximately 31,000 cases of oral, head, and neck cancer were diagnosed in the nation and about 25 percent of these patients died from their disease. It has been established that finding the disease in the early stages increases life expectancy significantly. If the tumor is found too late, the survival rate is less than 20 percent.
Siegel garnered support from the other dental specialties to ensure support during the period that the standards document was sent out to communities of interest for comment. It’s anticipated that requiring all students to perform a head and neck cancer examination and then be assessed during their training program will encourage them to utilize this procedure as a routine part of their patient management acumen for the duration of their active private practice careers. Hopefully, this will serve as a significant public health measure for the 21st century and save lives by diagnosing these cancers at the earliest possible time.
During CODA’s August 2010 meeting, the following standard was approved: At a minimum, graduates must be competent in providing oral health care within the scope of general dentistry, as defined by the school, including screening and risk assessment for head and neck cancer.