DTUS2010

DENTAL TRIBUNE | September 2010 News 5A AD has delivered more than $7 mil- lion in funding and donated prod- ucts to affiliate partners across the country. “Hu-Friedy is proud to be affili- ated with National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, and we are happy to make this dona- tion, which will help children get access to care that will improve their overall oral health,” said Ron Saslow, president and CEO of Hu- Friedy. “At Hu-Friedy our mission is to improve lives through better den- tistry — smile after smile — so our support of the NCOHF is a natural extension of this fundamental pur- pose.” “We are very grateful that Hu- Friedy supports our mission to eliminate children’s suffering from preventable pediatric dental disease,” said Fern Ingber, NCOHF president and CEO. “Generous NCOHF partners Hu-Friedy, a manufacturer of dental instruments, recent- ly donated dental products val- ued at more than $11,000 to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s Toothfairy (NCOHF) to enhance vital oral health services for children from vulnerable populations. How- ard University, a member of the NCOHF affiliate network, is recipi- ent of the contribution. The Hu-Friedy dental supplies will aid in expansion of Howard University’s pediatric oral health outreach programs in the Wash- ington, D.C., metropolitan area. As an NCOHF affiliate, Howard University is part of a national network of more than 60 non- profit health-care programs with a shared mission to provide the best education, prevention and treat- ment programs for underserved children. In less than five years, NCOHF Hu-Friedy product donation benefits NCOHF affiliate Hu-Friedy dental supplies will aid in the expansion of Howard University’s pediatric oral health outreach programs in and around Washington, D.C. (Photo and text/NCOHF) Do you have general comments or criticism you would like to share? Is there a particular topic you would like to see more articles about? Let us know by e-mailing us at feedback@dental-tribune.com. If you would like to make any change to your subscription (name, address or to opt out) please send us an e-mail at database@dental-tribune.com and be sure to include which publication you are referring to. Also, please note that subscription changes can take up to 6 weeks to process. Tell us what you think! such as Hu-Friedy make it possi- ble for NCOHF affiliates to give underserved children the compre- hensive care they deserve.” DT Diagnosis for Michael Douglas highlights oral cancer risk The British Dental Health Foun- dation is calling for more attention to be paid to mouth cancers. Oral health experts and the foundation are advising the public to regularly check their mouths after news broke recently of actor Michael Douglas being diag- nosed with oral cancer. The Academy Award winner was diagnosed with a tumor in his throat, andhenowfacesaneight-weekcourse of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This high-profile case has brought oral cancers into the limelight, and oral health experts are keen to make the public more aware of the key risk factors and early warning signs. Douglas quit smoking in 2006, after a long “half a pack a day” habit. Yet, the possibility of developing oral can- cer remains higher for ex-smokers than non-smokers for 20 years after quitting. Tobacco is considered to be the main cause of mouth cancer, with three in four cases being linked to smoking. Drinking in excess is also a known factor, with those who both smoke and drink in excess being up to 30 times more likely to be at risk. “It is crucial the public know about the risk factors and early symptoms as early detection can save lives,” said Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation. “Survival rates can increase from just 50 percent to over 90 percent with early detection, yet over two-thirds of cases are diagnosed at a late stage.” “Many people have not heard of mouth cancer and do not realize how common it is,” Carter said. “The latest figures show that men over the age of 40 are twice as likely to develop the condition as women.” DT (Source: British Dental Health Foundation)