Letters to the Editor
Members should request cancer screening from dentists
Nov 15, 2007 1:56 PM
To the Editor:
I was a New York City 6th-grade teacher for more than 25 years and am also a wife and mother of dentists. So I read the article “Preventive dental care saves pains in your mouth and wallet” [Health Benefits Checkup supplement, Sept. 20] with great concern.
It gave the impression that an individual should go to the dentist only for regular check-ups, fillings and other dental treatments. I was sad to note, that no mention was made of “oral cancer screening” in the process, a most important aspect of the dental examination.
That simple procedure by a dental professional will not only save “pain in the wallet,” but can be a life saver! Unfortunately, this is often overlooked even by dentists.
Let’s educate members to insist that the dentist do a cancer screening each time as well as the routine dental examination.
Natalie R. Hamburg, retired
