A free dental care initiative carried out by the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) in Largo da Carioca, in downtown Rio, identified five cases suspected of oral cancer this Thursday (28).
The initiative was part of the Red May campaign, aimed at raising awareness and preventing the disease, and provided a total of 67 services to the population. Patients with suspected lesions were referred for specialized evaluation.
The action was organized by the Compliance Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) and also aimed to publicize Law 8.206/18, which provides for free dental care for the population of Rio de Janeiro.
Cases identified
According to the organizers, the services included dental evaluations and preventive guidance related to oral health. During the event, professionals identified five cases considered suspicious for oral cancer.
The president of the Compliance Commission, Deputy Carlos Minc (PSB), highlighted the importance of prevention and information initiatives, especially for people with difficulty accessing regular dental care.
“Many people still don’t know that smoking and poor oral hygiene can cause mouth and throat cancer. Prevention and information are fundamental, especially for those who don’t have access to dental treatment,” he stated.
Prevention and guidance
Professor Luciene Faria, from the Faculty of Dentistry at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), explained that early diagnosis can broaden the possibilities of treatment before the disease progresses.
"In addition to providing care, we also offer information and promote educational activities on oral hygiene, injury prevention, and the risks of smoking and e-cigarettes to oral health," he stated.
During the event, guidance was also provided on oral hygiene, risk factors, and the importance of regular dental checkups. Minc also stated that he intends to discuss a partnership between the state education system and the UFRJ Faculty of Dentistry.
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