National Oral Health Month: A Moment to Reaffirm the Importance of Prevention Every April, National Oral Health Month (NOHM) public awareness campaigns across the country remind Canadians that oral health is essential to overall health. For the profession, it also serves as an opportunity to reflect on dentistry’s preventive mandate and the leadership role that dentists continue to play. A key focus for 2026 is raising awareness about oral cancer, including improving public understanding of risk factors, early detection, prevention, and the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancer. Oral Cancer: The Imperative of Early Detection Oral cancer can affect anyone, and early detection and screening play a critical role in improving outcomes. Comprehensive soft tissue examinations are already embedded in standard oral health care. Clinicians routinely assess the lateral borders of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the oropharynx, and other high-risk areas. Discussions about risk factors and behavioural habits, such as tobacco use and alcohol consumption, are also common in the dental office. HPV and the Expanding Risk Conversation HPV is a common virus and a known risk factor for oral cancer. Some patients associate it primarily with cervical cancer, while others may not realize how common the virus is or that vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect themselves. The dental office can play an important role in helping patients better understand these connections. Dentists are trusted sources of information and play a key role in prevention and screening. It is important to remind patients that regular self-checks 8 | 2026 | Issue 2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=