The highlight of my 28-year career: Early detection of oral cancer

Nancy is a registered dental hygienist. Here’s her story:
This 70-year-old woman has been a patient of mine for many years. Because of her periodontal disease history she comes in every 3 months for cleanings. She has been a smoker since she was 14 years old. She has smoking-related health problems - emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. Her smoking has also taken a real toll on her oral health. Moderate bone loss, loss of teeth and a failed implant bridge.

During one of her cleanings I noticed a small red area on the floor of her mouth. Just an irritation? Maybe. But I couldn't ignore it. We sent her to the oral surgeon. The phone call was shocking! It was a squamous cell carcinoma. We caught it at a very early stage and they were able to remove it. No other treatment was needed. The oral surgeon's final words: "Congratulations, you saved her life." WOW! That for sure was the highlight of my 28 year career.

Cancer exams save lives! and PLEASE QUIT SMOKING!!!!!!! A final note: After 50 years of smoking this patient kicked the habit! Way to go!

Advice to people who haven't seen a dentist lately: It's uncomfortable but rarely painful. Call around first to see what they do to make it more comfortable for patients; then go.

Read another story on how timely dental care could have saved a life. Thanks to Dr. William L. Eickhoff of North Palm Beach, Florida for the post on his blog on July 9.

Surgeons couldn’t reverse the damage: A healthcare access parable

While his mother was seeking help for his younger brother whose six decayed teeth were causing him pain, Deamonte Driver had a toothache from a single abscessed tooth. A dental abscess is a collection of infected material, pus, resulting from bacterial infection of the center, or pulp, of the tooth. It often is a complication of tooth decay—an untreated cavity.

Bacteria from the abscess spread to his brain. By then, two operations and more than six weeks of hospitalization could not reverse the damage. Deamonte died at age 12, in early March.

Deamonte’s mother worked at several jobs. Even so, the family had to live in a homeless shelter. In changing addresses, they lost Medicaid coverage, which would have paid for the life-saving treatment. US congressmen discussed his case yesterday in hearings. Perhaps hearing his story will ultimately save other children’s lives.

Advice: Let your kids see you brushing and flossing your teeth—you’re their best role model.

Read another dental story, or read Diana Rossetti’s source story.