OMAHA, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — As Oral Cancer Awareness Month gets underway, today’s Rural Health Matters segment focuses on the importance of dental and oral health, especially in rural communities where access to care can be limited.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska, joins us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his expert insight on oral health in rural America.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Dr. Gold explains that healthcare disparities in rural areas also affect oral health, often manifesting as limited access to dental providers and delayed care. He also highlights the critical connection between regular dental visits and early detection of oral cancer.
He emphasizes that even individuals who maintain good daily hygiene may miss key screenings without routine dental checkups, and discusses lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco use, along with early warning signs and recommended screening practices.