The articles published over the last year in Vital on mouth cancer are very informative for DCPs and patients.1,2 Twice yearly dental check ups and cutting out risk factors can prevent oral cancer or enable early detection. We must train all of our dental hygienists and therapists to examine patients for signs of oral cancer. Education providers should arrange workshops to train dental professionals and mass awareness of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer could be assisted with televised debates and more published articles in the media.

I have been reading the BDJ and Vital for a long time and think that Vital is excellent reading for dental professionals.

Editor's note: Linda Douglas, the British dental hygienist based in Canada who wrote the Vital articles on oral cancer screening, has just accepted an invitation to speak on one of her favourite subjects, saliva, at a dental convention in Las Vegas in April 2013. It is Linda's first big public speaking experience – we wish her the best of luck and look forward to hearing how it goes!