Dental school staff and students provide oral cancer screenings at community health fair

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry volunteers provided oral cancer screenings at the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America South Texas Chapter Health Fair. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)

Faculty, staff, students, and residents from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry joined together in May to provide oral cancer screenings and oral health education during a free community health fair hosted by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America at Masjid AlSalam in Spring, Texas.

Led by faculty from the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, the multidisciplinary outreach team included faculty and staff from the department, UT Dentists, and the School of Dentistry, as well as dental students and postgraduate residents.

The team provided no-cost oral cancer screenings as part of a broader community health fair that also offered blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol screenings, dental and eye exams, pediatric care, diet and exercise education, and other preventive health services.

The May 2 event created an opportunity to bring preventive care directly into the community in an accessible and familiar setting while supporting ongoing oral cancer awareness and early detection efforts.

During the screenings, participants were evaluated for signs of potential abnormalities and received education on oral cancer risk factors, early detection, and the importance of regular dental and medical follow-up.

Dental students and residents worked alongside faculty and staff to support patient screenings, answer oral health questions, distribute oral health care aids, and help identify referral pathways for individuals who required additional evaluation or follow-up care.

The outreach effort also provided students and residents with hands-on experience in community-based care and interprofessional collaboration.

Faculty organizers said the event allowed the team to meet patients where they are and provide meaningful education and screening services in a trusted community setting. They noted the importance of emphasizing early detection, prevention, and timely referral, particularly for communities that may face barriers to accessing routine oral health care.

The multidisciplinary nature of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America health fair allowed participants to receive multiple health screenings and resources in one location, reinforcing the connection between oral health and overall health.

Organizers described the event as a successful community outreach effort that provided patients with access to screenings, education, and guidance while highlighting a shared commitment to oral cancer awareness, early detection, and preventive care.