Coming up at the end of April - an event at the Northway Mall seeks to bring awareness about dental health, and offer free oral cancer screenings and consultations with experts. Community leader Ma'o Tosi, says the event will help local neighborhood residents access and establish a relationship with dental services and service providers.
The Oral Cancer Awareness Health Fair and Singing Competition is scheduled for Saturday April 29th, from 11am to 2pm in the Northway Mall.
More information can be found on the facebook pages for both the Northway Mall, as well as for Health Centered Dentistry, the dental office involved in this effort. Dr. Kent Marchant says although it's not the easiest conversation to have, early diagnosis of Oral Cancer can be a a lifesaver, doubling a patient's chance of survival. While risk factors in oral cancer are particularly high to tobacco and alcohol users, or those with HPV, a poor diet and a family history of oral cancer, screenings, such as the free ones available at the event, are critical to early diagnosis, since 25% of oral cancer patients have no risk factors.