New online training resource supports oral health professionals to identify people most at risk of oral cancer and detect the disease earlier.
Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) has launched an online training resource which will support Victorian oral health professionals to identify people most at risk of oral cancer and detect the disease earlier.
As oral cancer continues to rise in the state with more than 16 Victorians diagnosed with the disease in an average week, the Oral Cancer Learning Hub aims to enhance oral health professionals’ knowledge and skills in oral cancer prevention and detection.
This practical evidence-based resource supports practitioners to recognise and refer suspected oral cancers to an oral medicine specialist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further investigation and diagnosis. The Oral Cancer Learning Hub also arms oral health professionals with the information they need to have potentially life-changing conversations with patients about their individual risk.
DHSV CEO, Susan McKee, highlights the valuable part oral health professionals play:
‘Oral health professionals are integral to the prevention and early detection of oral cancer. Risk assessment takes only a short time and is an important element of routine dental care,’ Sue said.
‘There’s been a steady increase in cases of oral cancer over the last 15 years. The Oral Cancer Learning Hub supports oral health professionals to have difficult but essential conversations that can save lives.’
The Oral Cancer Learning Hub includes evidence-based information about risk factors and prevention, a visual ‘atlas’ of suspicious lesions, examination resources, clinical case studies, referral guidance and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) quiz.
Content was developed in partnership with experts at Dental Health Services Victoria, University of Melbourne Dental School, Australian Dental Association (Victorian Branch), La Trobe University Department of Dentistry and Oral Health and the Department of Health.
The Oral Cancer Learning Hub was produced with funding from the Department of Health in response to the increase in oral cancer in the state. Evaluation from the program’s 2019 training pilot indicated a need for accessible oral cancer educational resources. This resource is freely accessible to all oral health professionals working in public or private dentistry in Victoria. Find out more about the Victorian Oral Cancer Screening and Prevention Program.
Visit the Oral Cancer Learning Hub and sign up for e-news updates.