Iowa Central Dental Hygiene Program Partners with UnityPoint Health For Free Cancer Screenings

Public Information Office
4/28/2025

The Iowa Central Dental Hygiene Program, in partnership with UnityPoint Health, proudly hosted its annual free Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening Clinic on Thursday, April 17, offering critical early detection services to the community.

Held at the Dental Hygiene Clinic on campus, the event brought together a team of volunteer medical and dental professionals, including local dentists, oral surgeons, dermatologists, oncology specialists, and dental hygiene faculty and students. This collaboration provided screenings for 101 individuals, resulting in 17 referrals for further evaluation—a strong reminder of the importance of early detection.

Second-year dental hygiene students performed intraoral and extraoral exams under the supervision of licensed professionals, while first-year students observed and gained valuable hands-on learning experience. Students checked patients for any abnormalities on the face, neck, and inside the mouth to help ensure that any concerning signs were identified and properly referred.

The screening clinic, first launched in 2014 as a student-led service project, has grown into a valued annual event in recognition of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. In 2025, it's estimated that 620 Iowans will be diagnosed with oral, head, or neck cancers, according to the Iowa Cancer Registry. 

The event continues to demonstrate the importance of community service, early detection, and the professional development of Iowa Central’s dental hygiene students, while providing a much-needed resource for the community.