Clearwater FL Periodontist Participates in Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Dr. Todd Britten and his staff, along with many other professionals in Pinellas county, are using the month of April to focus on Oral Cancer Awareness. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, "Close to 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,650 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day."

Dr. Todd Britten and his staff participated in the 3rd Annual Oral Cancer Foundation 5K Walk/Run for Awareness on April 9th in Hurley Park at St. Pete Beach. In addition to participating in the event, he and his staff helped event organizers prepare packets for race participants. “Your dentist, dental specialist and dental hygienist are your first line of defense for early detection of Oral Cancer,” Dr. Britten stated. “We check every patient for signs of Oral Cancer. It is most common in current or past tobacco users and those that use alcohol heavily, however it may occur in non-smokers and non-drinkers.”

Dental professionals routinely perform systematic examination of the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, floor of the mouth, borders of the tongue, as well as the lymph nodes surrounding the oral cavity and in the neck. “It is important to me that my staff, as well as my patients know what we are doing and why, and what they may be able to look for at home. If you have any concerns about your oral health, come see us.” Britten’s periodontal practice is located in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Britten stated he is using the month of April to review with his staff their Oral Cancer Screening protocol as well as distributing an Oral Cancer Screening handout to his patients.

The 3rd Annual Oral Cancer Foundation 5K Walk/Run for Awareness on April 9th featured free oral cancer screenings by local dental professionals as well as keynote speaker and internationally recognized storyteller Eva Grayzel. Grayzel was diagnosed at age 33 with stage IV oral cancer and given a 15% chance of survival. Grayzel also performed off-Broadway, in Tongue-Tied: A Story NOT Silenced by Oral Cancer and has written two children’s books, “Mr. C Plays Hide & Seek and Mr. C the Globetrotter.”

Dr. Britten states, “I am so grateful that we were able to participate in this important event with many other professionals in our community, as well as those touched personally by this devastating, and sometimes deadly disease.”

Todd Britten's periodontal office is located in Clearwater, Florida. For more information visit his website http://www.brittenperio.com or call 727-586-2681.