Mangano & Dental Society Team Up To Provide Free Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer strikes an estimated 34,360 Americans each year

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that as a part of the Nassau County Dental Society’s public outreach and access to care program, the County has partnered with the Nassau County Dental Society (NCDS), a component of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA), to offer free oral cancer screenings to all Nassau County residents and veterans on Friday, August 5th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., at various locations throughout Eisenhower Park. The Nassau County Dental Society’s dentists will volunteer their time to provide oral cancer screenings, free of charge, to the residents and veterans of Nassau County. All residents of Nassau County are welcome to attend and partake in a free screening.

“Unfortunately, the prevalence of oral and other cancers affecting the public is continuing to grow and it is more important than ever to commit to healthy oral habits and to take preventative measures to avoid these diseases. Here in Nassau County, I believe it is of the utmost importance to provide our residents with access to proper oral health care and I urge everyone to take advantage of the free screenings that will be taking place in Eisenhower Park. Early detection saves lives,” said County Executive Edward Mangano.

Oral cancer strikes an estimated 34,360 Americans each year. An estimated 7,550 people (5,180 men and 2,370 women) will die of these cancers this year. More than 25% of the 30,000 Americans who get oral cancer will die of the disease. On average, only half of those diagnosed with the disease will survive more than five years.

Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. Knowing the risk factors and seeing your dentist for oral cancer screenings can help prevent this deadly disease.

“It’s surprising to see the rise in oral cancer among our younger population,” said Dr. Robert Trager, Oral Health Awareness Chair, Nassau County Dental Society. “College students don’t realize the negative impact chewing tobacco has on their oral health.” Dr. Trager added, “The spread of the HPV virus is also on the rise among high-school and college students – a direct cause of oral cancer. If we can save one life by detecting oral cancer in its early stages at these events, we as a Society of concerned dentists feel proud and pleased to have done so.”

Last year, NCDS member dentists screened more than 750 people at various venues in the state, including Belmont and Saratoga Racetracks, Adelphi University and C.W. Post College. The Society has been providing this service since 1980 to raise awareness of the importance of regularly-scheduled check-ups, including oral cancer screenings.