23 October 2014

The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has announced its continued support for the British Dental Health Foundation's Mouth Cancer Action Month by once again making its CPD module focused on the early detection and treatment of the disease available to all dental health professionals.

With 6,767 new cases annually - equivalent to 18 new cases every day - the advanced CPD module has been recognised as an invaluable tool to help increase knowledge and raise awareness of the disease amongst dental professionals.

David Worskett, Chair of the ADG, said the organisation was proud to be continuing to support the campaign by providing an education tool which could make a genuine difference.

Mr Worskett added: "The British Dental Health Foundation does a fantastic job in increasing awareness amongst the public and the dental professions and we are proud to be associated with this excellent campaign for the second year.

"Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers that seem to be on the increase. That worrying trend, combined with the fact it is all too often detected too late, means that we all need to do more to raise awareness amongst the public and the professions.

"The ADG's CPD module has been specifically designed to increase awareness amongst oral health professionals, which will help increase detection rates and therefore in reducing mortality."

The interactive online module, developed by ADG members IDH at its Manchester-based training Academy, is available free to all oral health professionals in the UK. Dentists who also wish to apply for a CPD certificate upon successful completion of the two hour long module can do so for just £25 +VAT, £5 of which will be donated to the British Dental Health Foundation and the Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign.

IDH CEO, Terry Scicluna said the goal of the CPD module was to help oral health professionals increase detection rates.

"During last year's campaign, we had significant interest in the module from the dental health community and that can only be a positive thing for patients. However, this year, we would like to see even more dental health professionals view the module."

"In addition, for every dentist that applies for a CPD module certificate, £5 will go to the British Dental Health Foundation to support their campaigns to raise awareness even further."

The module itself gives dental health professionals a detailed and interactive overview of how to spot cancers, and the treatment process involved. There are four videos including interviews with Dr Nigel Carter and Prof St John Crean, Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Central Lancashire. There is also an interview with a patient and a detailed example of a mouth cancer examination.

The ADG are also co-sponsors of the launch of the awareness month.

The full module is now available from the ADG's website.