Cancer Risk Increased by a Shortage of Dentists in South Africa
People in South Africa are facing an increased risk of developing mouth or throat cancer as a result of a shortage of dentists, it has been revealed.
The South African Dental Association claims that there are fewer than 3,500 dentists currently practising in the country and this means that it is difficult for people to attend regular check-ups. Regular examinations are important for good oral health and also in the battle against oral cancer, as dentists are in an ideal position to spot the early warning signs and arrange treatment before the condition becomes more advanced.
Speaking at a press conference in Capetown on Monday, Professor Andre van Zyl, from the School of Dentistry at the University of Pretoria, said that people are going for months, even years without having their mouth examined and this was contributing to high rates of oral cancer.
Professor van Zyl was highlighting the impact smoking cannabis and tobacco and using hubbly-bubbly can have on oral health and the link between smoking and oral cancer.
The South African Dental Association has also issued a warning about unprotected sex and oral sex, as oral cancer can be caused by exposure to the human papilloma virus.
According to the association, the risk of dying from mouth cancer is high because there is a shortage of dentists and most people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. As a result, most cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when the cancer is aggressive and there is a high possibility that it has spread to other parts of the body.
Figures suggest that there is one public dentist per 500,000 people in South Africa.
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