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When Jennifer Cicci felt a painless lump in her neck in 2013, she trusted her training.
As a dental hygienist, she had spent years screening patients for subtle changes that could signal serious disease. Still, getting a diagnosis took persistence. It was eventually confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma, according to the Alberta Dental Association, which includes Cicci’s story in its campaign.
Nearly 12 years later, Cicci is cancer-free — and using her experience to advocate for earlier detection.
“We have to be diligent with our screenings, educate our patients about what to look for, and let them know when a visit to an oral health professional is warranted,” she says. “Together we have the power to save lives.”
Oral cancer remains a growing concern in Canada, with thousands diagnosed each year and survival rates heavily dependent on early detection. Yet awareness remains low — even as screenings are routinely performed during dental visits — highlighting a gap between clinical practice and public understanding.
‘Healthy Smiles, Informed Choices—Oral Health, Every Day’
National organizations are reinforcing that message.
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA), for example, is using Oral Health Month to reinforce prevention and early detection. Under its 2026 campaign, “Healthy Smiles, Informed Choices—Oral Health, Every Day,” the association is encouraging Canadians to maintain daily oral hygiene habits and attend regular dental visits.
The CDA is also highlighting oral cancer awareness this month, noting that HPV is a known risk factor and that early detection through routine dental visits can improve outcomes.
“Awareness and early detection of oral cancer can make a real difference,” says Dr. Bruce Ward, president of the CDA. “Dentists are well-positioned to help patients understand oral cancer risks, including HPV, and to support prevention through informed conversations and care.”
Alberta’s ‘A Mouth Says A Lot’
Alberta’s “A Mouth Says A Lot” initiative, meanwhile, underscores how oral health professionals work as a team to detect disease early.
A survey commissioned by the Alberta Dental Association found that while 88 per cent of Albertans recognize the link between oral health and overall health, fewer than half are aware that oral cancer screening is already part of routine dental exams.
“When people know that their dentists are screening them for cancer, it not only reassures them but also makes them more likely to come back when they notice a warning sign,” says Dr. Carol Martin, president of the Alberta Dental Association.
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Oral health professionals say those screenings — which include examining the tongue, cheeks, throat and surrounding tissues — are quick, painless and critical for catching disease early.
“Early detection saves lives and it often starts in the dental chair,” says Melanie Johnston-Dore, president of the Dental Hygienists Association of Alberta.
The need for greater awareness is growing.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 5,800 men and 2,300 women will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer in Canada. As Canada’s population grows and ages, the overall cancer burden is expected to increase in the coming decades.
Mortality rates remain high, largely because the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Related: ADA updates recommendations for early oral cancer detection, citing advances in technology
Risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remain underrecognized. The Alberta survey found only 38 per cent of respondents identified HPV as a leading risk factor for oral and oropharyngeal cancers.
For Cicci, the message aligns closely with what oral health professionals are emphasizing this month: prevention starts with awareness — and with keeping regular appointments.
“They may save your life.”
National Dental Hygienists Week
National Dental Hygienists Week, running April 4 to 10, is being marked under the theme “Oral Health for Total Health,” led by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA).
The campaign highlights how routine hygiene visits extend beyond cleanings to include monitoring for conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer.
“This week is a significant event in the dental hygiene community,” says CDHA president Donna Lee. “It serves as an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions dental hygienists make towards maintaining individuals’ oral health, as well as their overall health and well-being.”
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Dental hygienists make up the seventh-largest regulated health profession in Canada and play a central role in patient education, guiding daily habits such as brushing, interdental cleaning and tobacco cessation.
In February, CDHA released polling conducted by Abacus Data showing 96 per cent of Canadians have a positive impression of dental hygienists, with more than eight in 10 viewing them as an essential part of the health-care system.
The polling also points to strong awareness of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with 85 per cent of Canadians familiar with the program and 92 per cent believing it has improved access. However, respondents reported ongoing challenges, including wait times and difficulty finding participating providers.
“Canadians are sending a clear message: they trust dental hygienists, they value prevention, and they want oral health to be treated as an essential part of health care,” Lee says.
(Sources: Alberta Dental Association and Canadian Dental Hygienists Association press materials.)