Make sure you display the Blue Ribbon
Badge Collection box prominently and,
where possible, mention it to your patients.
You should also display the offi cial poster.
Both of these resources are available free of
charge. Call 0870 770 4000 for information
Hand out information to patients,
particularly high risk groups such as smokers,
drinkers and older people. Research has found
people are far more likely to recall information
correctly when it comes in a written format
Generate public interest in the condition
by organising a free mouth cancer
examination afternoon as a PR event.
You could offer the examination to all of your
patients or just those that fall into a high risk
group – it’s up to you
Smoking cessation is at the top of the
government’s health agenda – particularly since
the introduction of the public smoking ban.
Dental teams, including hygienists
and oral health educators, should
bring up the
subject of tobacco use with
all patients, reassessing
the situation at every visit
Give away a Mouth Cancer Awareness
Toothbrush. Molar Ltd is supporting Mouth Cancer Awareness Week by producing
special campaign toothbrushes. Dental
professionals can give the toothbrushes to
patients after screenings to remind them of
the importance of being mouth aware. For
details see the Campaign Products pages in
the centre.
Pharmacies in Mouth Cancer Awareness Week
Pharmacies have a unique role in
the fight against mouth cancer.
They are usually the first port of call for people
with possible mouth cancer symptoms such
as ulcers or sores, as these can often be
assumed to be relatively minor.
Pharmacists often see people who do not visit
other health professionals.
All pharmacy staff should be ready to educate
members of the public on the dangers of
mouth cancer.
When a customer purchases an ulcer
treatment they must be advised that if they
have had the ulcer for more than three weeks
they should visit the dentist for a mouth
cancer check.
Pharmacies should display the Blue Ribbon
Badge Collection Box and Mouth Cancer
Awareness Week posters wherever possible
General Event Ideas
Sponsored silence
A sponsored silence is a great way to raise
awareness of the effects of mouth cancer. It is
also quirky enough to get the attention of the
media and could be interesting for patients too!
Cigarette Jar Competition
The Foundation’s plastic cigarette jars can be used to encourage people to give up smoking.
Run a competition where everyone who throws
their cigarettes in the jar is given a raffle ticket
for a fantastic prize – a free
cosmetic consultation,
a tooth whitening
treatment or a meal
at a great local restaurant would all generate interest.
Set up a display
Starting with the free Blue Ribbon Collection Box
and Mouth Cancer Awareness posters, set up a
display in your waiting room, pharmacy, shop or
public house. The official poster was produced
by Denplan who are key supporters of Mouth
Cancer Awareness Week. To order your free
poster call Denplan on 01962 827997 or email
pressoffi ce@denplan.co.uk.
A range of other resources including T-shirts,
inflatable cigarettes, ribbon mugs, leafl ets,
CD-ROMS and posters are available from the
Foundation. For details see the Campaign
Products section in the centre pages.
Team meeting
Make sure everyone in your team understands the
risk factors and symptoms of mouth cancer and is
able to pass those messages on to the public
Click here to order your kit.
