75. Saving Lives: The Critical Role of Oral Cancer Screenings

In this episode, we review the importance of performing oral cancer screenings by dental professionals. Early detection can be the difference between life and death, and dental teams play a crucial role in identifying signs of oral cancer during routine examinations. Join us as we learn about how to effectively communicate with patients and discuss techniques in screening. We'll also cover the potential risk factors and symptoms to watch for, empowering dental professionals to be at the forefront of oral health and cancer prevention. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the dental field committed to enhancing patient care and making a significant impact on public health. Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT, is CEO of Oral Cancer Consulting and developed the “Cotten Method”, an oral cancer screening method and dental office system. She is an international speaker on oral cancer and holds hands-on oral cancer screening workshops for dental professionals who want to have more confidence in screening, reduce the risk of liability, and increase early detection. In her career, Susan has performed over 60 thousand oral cancer screenings. She is the Dental Lead for the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado, an RDH Advisory Board member at The Oral Cancer Foundation, a director with Dental Codeology Consortium Susan is a 2018 recipient of the Sunstar RDH Award of Distinction and recipient of the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association Ethyl Covington Award and Outstanding Contribution Award. Susan founded MAD(Make A Difference) for Healthy Smiles as a 2010-2011 member of Donny Osmond’s Make a Difference program and received Volunteer of the Year from the Oral Cancer Foundation in 2011. On a personal note, Susan loves walking the beaches of Hawaii, is a former country dance competitor, and loves watching college football. https://oralcancerconsulting.com/cotten-method-guide Connect with Susan Cotten: Email: oralcancerconsulting@gmail.com @SCottenRDH