Personal Mission

Oral Cancer Screening is a Personal Mission for Hunt School of Dental Medicine Faculty Member

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic offers no-cost screenings and raises awareness

A recent visit to the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic began like any other — a patient came in for a routine checkup and casually mentioned a slight discoloration on their gums. But thanks to the attentiveness of a student provider, that small concern led to a critical discovery: precancerous lesions.

“This was a powerful example of how well our students are trained,” said Sehrish Javaid, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. “They’re learning to trust their instincts and take immediate action for the patient’s well-being.”

For Dr. Javaid, every screening is more than a lesson — it’s deeply personal. She lost her mother to tongue cancer just before her second year of dental school, a devastating experience that reshaped her career and ignited a passion for prevention.

“She didn’t have any risk factors and was initially treated for infections,” Dr. Javaid said. “By the time she got a diagnosis, it was too late. That experience is why I do what I do.”

Now a faculty member in pathology at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Javaid is leading efforts to educate the community on the importance of early detection. The Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic offers no-cost oral cancer screenings to help save lives through prevention and education. The screenings are among the services Texas Tech Health El Paso is recognizing this April, which is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Javaid has dedicated her career to advancing oral cancer research and training future dental professionals to recognize even the most subtle signs of disease — signs that are often overlooked until it's too late.

“Oral cancer can start as a small change in tissue color or texture, often with no pain,” she said. “By the time symptoms become noticeable, the disease can already be advanced.”

While El Paso County reports lower rates of late-stage oral cancer diagnoses — approximately 4.6 cases per 100,000 people, compared to the Texas average of 7.1 — nearly 60% of those local cases are still detected at an advanced stage. That’s why regular screenings are essential.

“Our strongest weapon against oral cancer is early detection,” Dr. Javaid said. “I want people to understand that a simple screening could save a life. Don’t wait for symptoms — be proactive.”

As part of every comprehensive dental exam, the clinic offers vital oral cancer screenings to detect early warning signs before symptoms worsen. These simple check-ups can make a lifesaving difference, especially for individuals who use tobacco, drink alcohol regularly, or have a history of oral HPV.

Financial assistance is available to patients who qualify, and the first exam typically takes about two hours. Patients are evaluated by dental students under the close supervision of faculty, with thorough assessments of the mouth, neck, and jaw.

To expand access to care, the clinic also offers no-cost screenings at community outreach events, including its recent presence at the 2024 Make-A-Wish Foundation 5K run in El Paso. More events are planned throughout the year.

The Hunt School of Dental Medicine’s inaugural class — the Class of 2025 — is preparing for its historic commencement this May, marking the culmination of four years of hands-on training at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic.

Part of the Hunt School of Medicine, the clinic provides local residents with affordable, high-quality dental care in an academic setting where education, innovation, and compassion meet.

To make an appointment or learn more about oral cancer screenings at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic, call 915-215-6700 or visit ttdentalcare.com.

About Texas Tech Health El Paso

Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.

With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.