November 04, 2022
Dr. Wiens and Dr. Bose-Roberts recently attended a continuing education lecture on screening for skin lesions in the head and neck area. One of the added benefits of regular dental examinations that many patients are unaware of is the extraoral head and neck exam. We routinely perform this check at every dental hygiene appointment as well as at your new patient exam.
A number of skin lesions that appear benign are sometimes areas of concern, particularly if they are located in “hot spots” for sun exposure, such as the lower lip, forehead, ears, neck and shoulders. Using proper sun protection with SPF >30 can reduce risk of these harmful skin changes, but the gold standard for sun protection is proper clothing, not sunscreen.
It is important to note that there is a risk of long term skin changes with any daylight exposure, not just from direct sun exposure!
Regular self-examination is very important particularly if you are susceptible to skin lesions (e.g. if you have naturally red hair or freckles). Please let us know if you have any skin lesions of concern at your next dental appointment!
Okanagan Dentistry is a Kelowna-based dental office dedicated to providing the highest quality of dental care. Our unique family-oriented approach ensures that everyone receives the highest level of care and that we are continually improving lives through dentistry. Contact us today!