Dr. Christine Bergman consults with a patient at South Lincoln Family Dentistry
In this installment of the “Ask the Expert” series, Dr. Kelly O’Hara, a Lincoln-based dentist and leading advocate in the fight against oral and esophageal cancer, answers questions about her practice. At Nebraska Family Dentistry, she screens patients for oral cancer and educates them about oral cancer and overall dental health.
Dr. Kelly O’Hara, what led you to practice dentistry in Lincoln?
I was a middle school and high school English teacher who went back to school to become a general dentist. I am a proud graduate of University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), where I got a great education to prepare me for the start of my dental career. I continue to build on this foundation through continuing education classes. I’ve been a general dentist for 10 years now and I love practicing in Lincoln, where I am surrounded by fabulous colleagues and specialists.
Oral and pharyngeal cancer isn’t well known outside the dental profession. How did you become interested in this very important field?
My training at UNMC taught me the importance of screening for oral cancer. I had fabulous oral pathology teachers who instilled in me early the importance of continually monitoring oral changes and the need to be especially vigilant with patients who may not have a medical doctor or who haven’t seen a healthcare professional for several years.
Oral cancer is probably more common — and more deadly — than most patients realize. How do you call attention to the importance of early detection and treatment?
We do head and neck oral cancer screenings at all exams. I find most patients with a history of alcohol and tobacco use are the most concerned with oropharyngeal cancer. They seem to understand they are in a higher risk group. Far fewer patients, meanwhile, seem to understand how acid reflux, especially if undiagnosed and untreated, can increase the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. With them, it usually takes a little more education.
What warning signs do you look for when examining patients?
We watch for abnormalities on gum tissue, back of throat, floor of the mouth and the tongue. It is also important to spend time getting to know the patient and their habits that can predispose them to cancer — especially smoking and alcohol. Many patients under report these uses because they worry their healthcare professional will judge them. So we focus on providing a judgment-free environment.
We also watch for excessive signs of wear on teeth consistent with sleep apnea or acid reflux, as many cases of the latter go undetected and can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to throat cancer. Often, we’ll widen the circle of care to refer patients to a gastroenterologist or suggest they consider an acid reflux medication.
April was Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Would you like to share a message of reflection?
Many people avoid the dentist because they have had a bad past experience or they worry they will be judged. But dentistry has come a long way in managing dental anxiety! I just want to encourage patients to settle in with a provider they can trust so they can be proactive rather than reactive in screening for oral cancer.
To book an appointment with Dr. Kelly O’Hara or another provider at Nebraska Family Dentistry, please click here. Nebraska Family Dentistry offers a range of comprehensive services from routine checkups to advanced dental procedures, ensuring patients of all ages receive the personalized, high-quality care they deserve. Visit nebraskafamilydentistry.com for more information.
