JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – The Carolina Dental Specialty Center in Jacksonville announced Tuesday that they will be offering free oral cancer screenings through the end of November in observance of Mouth Cancer Action Month, which takes place through the end of the month.

Patients interested in scheduling a free oral cancer screening appointment must request an appointment by Nov. 30 and can do so by clicking here.

Mouth cancer can be caused by a multitude of factors, including smoking cigarettes and using chewing tobacco, heavy alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, gum disease, other health conditions like Human Papillomavirus and even genetics.

Some symptoms of mouth cancer include:

• A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal within 14 days
• A red, white, or black discoloration in the mouth
• Gum tissue that bleeds easily when touched
• A lump or hard spot in gum tissue
• A sore under a denture that doesn’t heal
• A painless, firm lump on the outside of the neck that’s been there for at least two weeks

But even if you don’t have the risk factors or symptoms listed above, Dr. Jose I. Arauz, a board-certified periodontist and chief dental officer at the Carolina Dental Specialty Center, says you should take advantage of this opportunity to receive a free screening.

“The best form of healthcare is always preventative care,” Arauz said. “Though you might not think you are at risk, getting checked out can’t hurt you. In some cases, we find problems during routine check-ups and early diagnoses, especially with a disease like cancer, that can be the difference between life and death.”

Further, Caroline Specialty Dental Center is located near Camp Lejeune, and is a hub for military members and veterans.

Not only was Monday Veteran’s Day, but according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans are three times more likely than the general population to develop mouth cancer, and have shown “persistently lower survival rates.”

Those wishing to book a free oral cancer examination can do so by clicking here: https://carolinadsc.com/free-oral-cancer-screening/

About Carolina Dental Specialty Center:

The Carolina Dental Specialty Center specializes in periodontics, robotic dental implants and oral medicine. Dr. Arauz is a board-certified periodontist, trained in dental implant robotics, as well as a Diplomate of The American Board of Periodontology and an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Academy of Osseointegration and the American Board of Periodontology.

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