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An Academic Dental Center Grapples with Oral Cancer Disparities: Current Collaboration and Future Opportunities
Author(s) -
Kerr A. Ross,
Changrani Jyotsna G.,
Gany Francesca M.,
Cruz Gustavo D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2004.68.5.tb03771.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , dental education , medicine , medical education , professional development , cancer , family medicine , psychology , pedagogy
This article reviews the epidemiology of oral cancer in the United States, explores the complex reasons for its disproportionate burden in minority groups, and describes the efforts of New York University's College of Dentistry to address these oral cancer disparities. These efforts include the development of state and regional consortia and networks, public education and community screening efforts, undergraduate dental curriculum development, professional education, intensive research efforts, and significant dental‐medical collaborations. Future directions include the need to develop and assess oral cancer education/ awareness programs, specifically customized to the various dental‐medical professionals/trainees and to populations at risk. Improving the quality of life of patients during and following treatment for oral cancer is another important area that has great opportunity for dental‐medical collaboration.