title: Outcomes from the first mouth cancer awareness and clinical check-up day in the Dublin Dental University Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To increase public awareness about mouth cancer, the Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) hosted an awareness day and free mouth check-up in September 2010. The messages of information, self-examination and risk management, and the importance of early detection, were available to all attendees. The role of general dental and medical practitioners in examination of the mouth was stressed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire regarding knowledge about the causes of and risk factors for mouth cancer, and a clinical check-up, were completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,661 individuals (675 male, 986 female) were examined. The mean age was 59.6 years. Just over one-third (36.5%) of those examined required no action, and slightly less (30%) were advised to return to their general dental or medical practitioner (GDP/GMP). Some 21% were advised about self-examination of the mouth, and 8% about smoking cessation. Of the remainder, 52 people (3.5%) were sent for a second opinion. Of these, 30 individuals were referred for further investigation, including biopsy in 27 cases. Following biopsy, five individuals were diagnosed with carcinoma in situ or carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of five people with mouth cancers, who may not otherwise have been identified for early treatment, highlights the need for regular mouth examination. It is inappropriate that such an exercise would remain the preserve of the dental teaching hospitals, and it is vital that all dentists take on the responsibility for regular mouth checks for all of their patients. More should be done to encourage those identified as high risk to visit their dentist. There is a need for recognition of the additional resources required for the detection and timely management of such cancers.
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin. dmaccarthy@dental.tcd.ie
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacCarthy
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.forename: Leo F A
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Stassen
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: Breda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toner
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dougall
authors.forename: Jacinta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flint
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D016353:Self-Examination; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires