MONTREAL, Jan. 16, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - As a partner of Quebec Tobacco-Free Week, from January 15 to 21, the Ordre des dentistes du Québec is committed to making the anti-smoking cause a priority, in particular by adopting the position statement suggested by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
"Every evening as I walk home along St. Paul Street in Old Montreal, I am astonished at the numbers of young Quebecers in the prime of their lives standing outside the local bars and restaurants on the sidewalk smoking," says Dr. Barry Dolman, President of the Order.
"With four children and two grandchildren, I am fortunate that no one in my family smokes, but I realize that we have a long way to go to break this habit in many Quebec families."
Dentists are ideally positioned to speak to patients who smoke and inform them of the effects of smoking on their oral health. They can also counsel them about different ways of stopping smoking and on the free resources available to them.
But more important still, dentists are university-trained professionals with the skills to detect early signs of oral cancer in patients during routine check-ups.
We don't tend to hear much about oral cancer. But there are several places in the mouth and throat where it can appear, for instance on the tongue, lips, palate, salivary glands and tonsils.
The earlier oral cancer is discovered, the better the chance of survival. Eight out of ten individuals (80%) survive if oral cancer is detected early, as compared with only two out of ten (20%) if it is detected at an advanced stage.
So make a good resolution for 2012: Visit your dentist on a regular basis and stop smoking today!
About the Ordre des dentistes du Québec
The Ordre des dentistes du Québec represents 4,730 dentists. Its mission is to ensure the quality of dental services by maintaining high professional and ethical standards, and to promote oral health among Quebecers.
Carole Erdelyon
514 875-8511, ext. 2232
Share this article