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Word of Mouth, Two Willow Street, Suite 200, Southborough, MA 01745, fax (508) 480-0002, or email Melissa Carman, managing editor.

ADA Publications

Word of Mouth

Published twice annually, Word of Mouth is a consumer publication created as an avenue to communicate important dental health information to the public. Articles in Word of Mouth come from dental health care professionals of the American Dental Society and the Massachusetts Dental Society, as well as other sources.

Winter-Spring 2012

HPV and the Changing Face of Oral Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately
37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each
year. This includes cancers of the mouth and throat that
cause more than 8,000 deaths. That’s more than one
person every hour, every day. Previously, poor lifestyle
choices—namely, smoking and drinking—were considered
the prime culprits behind oral cancer. However, the
Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) wants to spread the
word that tobacco use and alcohol consumption aren’t
the only factors that contribute to oral cancer and that it
is actually a virus that is causing oral cancer rates to rise
at alarming rates, especially among younger adults. While
oral cancer is often diffi cult to talk about, early detection is
of paramount importance.

Winter-Spring 2012

Past Word of Mouth Issues