How To Be A Side Effect Supporter

Have you ever had a patient disclose a new cancer diagnosis while sitting in your chair or learned of a family member’s struggle and wondered what to say? Aside from offering concern, as an oral health professional do you know the best way to support people going through cancer treatment and beyond?

This April, we are observing the 22nd Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month. This month is set aside to raise awareness on the importance of performing head and neck cancer screenings. As dental professionals, this is our time to shine. But do you feel confident in your skills?

As dental professionals, we know the importance of dental health. We educate our patients about the reasons to keep their recare appointments, connecting oral health to whole-body health, and reminding them of the importance of early intervention. But when was the last time you had a comprehensive exam?

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but, this will not be a quick fix (insert loud groan here). I had big dreams that as soon as I got the first shot, I could rip off that N95 mask, shake my hair out of the surgical cap, and ditch the face shield all in some movie star slow-motion fashion (just imagine that TikTok video).

There’s no argument that 2020 has been quite the year. When the world shuttered up in March so did public health dental programs. Many of those programs have yet to open their doors, leaving much of our vulnerable population lacking essential dental care. Without a good sense of when programs will start up again, it was time to hop into action.