The International Olympic Committee (IOC) screened a record number of athletes for oral cancer during the 2010 winter games in Vancouver, Canada.
The UK's leading oral health campaigners have backed the decision, with dentists screening 20% of all athletes – a 100% rise from the last Winter Olympics, during course of the games.
Whistler Olympic Park
Around 800 athletes sat in the dentist's chair during the competition, with over 70 dentists and their assistants on hand to not only to fix teeth and mouths, but to also practice preventative dentistry.
The British Dental Health Foundation has supported the increased oral screening campaign that also included education for athletes on the importance of applying sun-cream to help prevent mouth cancers. Alpine athletes are particularly in danger of developing skin and lip cancers due to prolonged exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation while training and competing at high altitudes. The damaging radiation largely occurs when the sun reflects off the surface of the ice and snow.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter was pleased to see the Olympic Committee recognise the importance of spreading the awareness of mouth cancer and said, 'It is high time this hidden problem was placed in the spotlight. It is good to see positive action taking place by raising knowledge of the risks and ability to spot this disease.'
