78086e2e2ebb6626051be9c63ca25c12.jpg

East Brunswick Dentist Offers Free Oral Cancer Screenings April 12

EAST BRUNSWICK n Every hour of every day, someone dies from oral cancer.
Approximately 37,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer every year.
The good news: It can be found early at stages where it can be cured.
“This is preventive dentistry at its best,” said Dr. Steven Susskind, a dentist in (469 Cranbury Road) East Brunswick. “Here’s a nasty cancer we can catch early with simple and painless testing and detection. And we can do something about it.”
That’s why, in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, the Susskind Dental practice will offer free oral cancer screenings on Tuesday, April 12, between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Please call (732) 254-9111 for an appointment.
Experts say that every adult should be screened for oral cancer. With early detection, survival rates are high and the side effects from treatment are at their lowest.
“An oral cancer screening should be part of every annual checkup,” Susskind said.
Most oral cancer is a result of one of two factors. Either the person is a long term, extensive user of tobacco and alcohol or they have been exposed to the human papilloma virus version 16 (HPV16). This is the same virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancer in women. More people n usually young, healthy non-smokers n have developed oral cancer as a result of their connection to this virus.
Early Indicators of oral cancer are:
*Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth.
*Any sore which does not heal within 14 days.
*Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time.
Advanced Indicators of oral cancer are:
*A sensation that something is stuck in your throat.
*Numbness in the oral region.
*Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue.
*Difficulty in swallowing.
*Ear pain which occurs on one side only.
*A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.
*A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck.
For more information about oral cancer, visit oralcancer.org.
The Susskind Dental office does regular community outreach. For the last two years on Halloween, the office has held a candy buyback n encouraging children to come in with up to five pounds to candy. The office pays $1 a pound and the candy is sent to U.S. soldiers overseas. This year, Dr. Susskind and his staff collected more than 450 pounds of candy. In addition, the dentist and his staff do presentations at schools to encourage good dental health. Also, this year, the office offered a free dental exam and fluoride treatment to new patients, ages 5-12, during the month of February to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month.
“Education and preventive dentistry go hand in hand,” Susskind said. “If you want to keep your teeth and your health, you need to visit your dentist regularly, maintain your teeth well and learn about good habits. That includes getting regular examinations and screenings.”
The office of Dentist Steven Susskind does regular community outreach. The office collected 450 pounds of Halloween candy during its annual candy buyback program. $450 will be donated to area schools and the candy will go to U.S. soldiers overseas.