One Person Every Hour Will Die From Oral Cancer in 2018

Did you know that, according to the American Cancer Society, about 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and about 10,030 will die from it? That’s over one person every hour, 24 hours a day, all year long. While this is scary information, the good news is that oral cancer is 90 percent curable if found in its earliest stages.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and many people don’t realize that a regular dental cleaning can be the only way to learn of a severe medical condition. With the improvements in screening technology, the dental community is often a first line of defense in detecting many life-threatening diseases, including oral cancers. So next time you’re putting off going to the dentist, remember that it’s more than just your teeth at stake – it could be your life.

And if you’re concerned about costs, through the Smiles For Everyone Foundation, we offer free oral cancer screenings at Day of Giving events. For more information on these events and services, visit SmilesForEveryone.org.