Description
Will this be the year you save a life?
This course is designed to provide dental hygienists with a clearer understanding of the incidence, mortality, and
morbidity of oral and oropharyngeal cancers so that they can effectively transfer this knowledge to their clinical
practice and clients.
A call to action from the Chief Dental Officer of Canada validates the integral role dental hygienists play in early
discovery of these cancers through opportunistic screening, which can significantly reduce the mortality rate. The
course reviews typical risk factors along with the concerning link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and
oropharyngeal cancer that today’s dental hygienists need to consider. Communication strategies for educating clients
on
risk prevention and self-examination are highlighted. A systematic approach to assessment, management, and referral
is
detailed to assist the dental hygienist in practice. A variety of clinical and educational resources accompany the
online course.
Successful completion of this course will ensure that dental hygienists possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and
clinical judgement to competently perform a comprehensive extraoral and intraoral examination, including the oral
cancer
screening examination, prepare subsequent documentation, and manage an abnormal finding.
Module 1: Incidence and Mortality of Oral & Oropharyngeal Cancer in Canada
This module focusses on the incidence, mortality, and risk factors related to oral and oropharyngeal cancer. It is
designed to elevate awareness of the importance of head and neck examinations, including oral and oropharyngeal
cancer
screening.
Module 2: The Extraoral Examination
This module provides a systematic overview of the anatomical structures that must be included in the extraoral
examination, with attention to landmarking and palpation techniques. Learn to recognize the subtle extraoral signs
and
symptoms that may accompany oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
Module 3: The Intraoral Examination
This module guides the clinician step-by-step through the performance of an intraoral examination. Intraoral signs of
both oral and oropharyngeal cancer are reviewed.
Module 4: Assessment, Management, and Referral
This module translates the knowledge gained from modules 1, 2, and 3 into clinical practice, outlines documentation
and
client management techniques, and reviews a management pathway decision-making tool for abnormal findings.
Adjunctive
chairside screening methods and client communication strategies are also presented.
More Course Information
Relevance to Practice
As primary oral health care professionals, dental hygienists have the responsibility and opportunity to make
a powerful
impact by increasing the early-stage discovery of these cancers. A comprehensive extraoral and intraoral
examination and
appropriate referral can save lives. Upon successful completion of this course, dental hygienists will have
the
knowledge, skills, and judgement to integrate these important aspects of dental hygiene care into their
day-to-day
practice.
Format for Learning
This course is available in English only. Registration for the course is done online and all the modules are
viewed
online in the comfort of your home, at your convenience and your pace. You may pause and restart at any time
to break up
your learning into several shorter sessions. The learning is self-directed. It is estimated that the entire
course will
take 5 to 6 hours to complete. However, you can take as much time as you need. The resource manual, a
complement to the
course, can be downloaded and printed. It is a valuable tool that includes learning outcomes, learning
activities, a
reference list for each module, and resources such as links to websites.
A pre-test at the beginning and a post-test at the end of each module are important self-assessment tools as
you move
through the course. A final 45-item multiple choice and case study examination will be administered once you
have
reviewed all four modules and finished the associated learning activities. A certificate of completion
issued by CDHA
may be printed from your computer upon achievement of a grade of 80% or higher on the final examination.
Course Developer
Jo-Anne Jones, DipDH, RDH
As an international, award-winning speaker, Jo-Anne Jones has made over 1,000 presentations
worldwide. Jo-Anne brings
life, energy, and inspiration to her work and has a dynamic speaking style that has made her a
sought-after lecturer in
the oral health community. In 2023, Jo-Anne joined the Dentistry Today CE Leaders for the 13th
consecutive year. She has
also been a Fellow of the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics since 2021. Jo-Anne
proudly partners with
the Oral Cancer Foundation in conveying the urgent need for change in the way we screen for oral and
oropharyngeal
cancer, and she was instrumental in launching the Check Your Mouth™ campaign promoting oral
self-examination between
professional visits.