title: Outcomes of oral cancer early detection and prevention statewide model in Maryland.
abstract: A high oral cancer mortality rate and a moderately high oral cancer incidence rate prompted Maryland to develop a statewide approach to oral cancer early detection and prevention. This approach can serve as a model for other states. Key lessons learned include the need to: develop a comprehensive plan that focuses on actions to increase awareness, education and training for the public, dental and non-dental providers and policy makers; include oral cancer in the state's comprehensive cancer control plan to keep attention focused on this disease; and maintain high vigilance among stakeholders to keep oral cancer prevention and early detection a high priority within the state. Future efforts will focus on: requiring all dental and dental hygiene students to perform a set number of supervised oral cancer examinations for licensure to ensure a dental workforce that is competent and predisposed to providing routine oral cancer examinations; training health care providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to perform oral cancer examinations as part of a comprehensive cancer screening exam to expand the number of individuals that receive oral cancer examinations; and continuing to educate the public about oral cancer risk factors, its symptoms, and ways to prevent it.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Maryland, MD, USA. cmaybury@umd.edu
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maybury
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Harold S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Goodman
mesh_terms: D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004497:Education, Dental; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D008403:Mass Screening; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013335:Students, Dental