Dublin Dental University Hospital Provides Free Checks for Mouth Cancer Awareness Day

Posted on: 30 September 2010

Hundreds of members of the public queued throughout the day at the Dublin Dental University Hospital yesterday (29th September) when it opened its doors for free mouth checks for head, neck and mouth cancer to mark Mouth Cancer Awareness Day.  Staff at the Dublin Dental University Hospital examined in excess of 1350 people as part of the initiative which hopes to raise awareness of the prevalence of these cancers and highlight the importance of early detection.

Mouth, head and neck cancers kill more people in Ireland each year than cervical cancer, malignant melanomas or Hodgkins Lymphoma.  On average three people die from these cancers every week and over 400 new cases are diagnosed each year in this country.  Speaking about the importance of the initiative, the Dean of the School of Dental Science, Professor June Nunn said: “Most people are unfamiliar with these conditions.  Failing to act on early signs and symptoms means that the five year survival rate is 30-40% at best.  However, early detection can raise survival rates to above 80%.  The main risk factors for mouth, head and neck cancers are tobacco and alcohol and a combination of both proves lethal for many.”

Dr Claire Healy, Senior Lecturer Consultant, Oral Medicine; Dr Denise MacCarthy, Senior Lecturer Consultant, Restorative Dentistry; Jan O’Sullivan, TD; Dr James Reilly, TD; Dr Michael O’Sullivan, Clinical Director, Senior Lecturer Consultant, Special Dental Needs; Mary Harney, TD, Minister for Health and Children; Professor June Nunn, Dean of Dental Science, Senior Lecturer Consultant, Special Care Dentistry; Professor Stephen Flint, Pro Dean, Senior Lecturer Consultant, Oral Medicine; Ms Emer Daly, Chairperson, Dublin Dental Hospital Board

To mark the occasion the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, together with opposition health spokespeople James Reilly of Fine Gael and Labour’s Jan O’Sullivan, visited the Dublin Dental University Hospital to meet with staff, health care professionals, visitors and mouth, head and neck cancer survivors who were present throughout the day to talk and offer advice.  The initiative, which was adopted by Cork University Dental Hospital also, provided free mouth checks and preventative advice for visitors.