Date: May 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM CST/8:00 PM EST
Duration: 1 Hour
Credits: 1
Presenter: Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT
Sponsor: Haleon
Cost: Free
Both dental hygienists and dentists play an important role in the early detection of oral cancer, yet there is a critical gap in screening protocols. After performing an oral cancer screening, patients often say, “No one has ever done that before.”
This course breaks down the components of a comprehensive visual and tactile, extraoral, and intraoral evaluation, and the signs and symptoms associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancer as an important component in screening. Using Susan’s instructional screening videos and case presentations, attendees will learn proper extraoral palpation, evaluation of the thyroid gland, and the oropharynx. ADA and ADHA oral cancer policies and coding will be reviewed.
A comprehensive oral cancer screening isn’t optional. Let’s close the gap together, elevate the standard of care in screening, calibrate dental professionals nationwide, and increase early detection. Attendees will leave inspired and with a renewed commitment to performing this life-saving evaluation – every patient, every visit.
Learning Objectives
- Execute a comprehensive extraoral and intraoral evaluation.
- Demonstrate proper extraoral palpation.
- Summarize the signs and symptoms associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
About the Presenter
Susan Cotten, BSDH, RDH, OMT, has performed more than 60,000 oral cancer screenings and is a nationally recognized speaker and leader in screening and early detection. She is the founder of Oral Cancer Free and Oral Cancer Consulting, and developer of The Cotten Method™ of Screening, a proven, science-based approach to comprehensive oral, oropharyngeal cancer screening, and head and neck evaluation. Through her speaking and hands-on oral cancer screening workshops, Susan equips dental professionals with the confidence to perform comprehensive screenings, including calibration of dental teams and dental hygiene school faculty. Susan was not always confident when screening. She changed that by working with mentors – ENT Otolaryngologists, Oral Surgeons, and mentors at the Oral Cancer Foundation.
In her 32 years as a dental hygienist, Susan has worked clinically in private practice and public health as an Integrative Dental Hygienist in medical–dental integration and serving as Dental Lead for the Alliance for HPV-Free Colorado. She has volunteered with theDenver Homeless Head and Neck Cancer Screening and Care Group, and the Colorado Mission of Mercy as a board member and oral cancer screening coordinator. She has organized and led numerous free oral cancer screening events, including the Denver Broncos Health and Wellness Expo and at the Rocky Mountain Dental Conference in 2025 and 2026, providing free screenings for the dental community on the exhibit floor.
Susan serves on the RDH Advisory Boards for RDH Magazine and the Oral Cancer Foundation and is an instructor for the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists. She is a 2018 RDH Sunstar Award of Distinction recipient and a 1994 graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Department of Dental Hygiene. On a personal note, she loves watching college football, walking the beaches of Hawaii, and is a former country dance competitor.
Supported in part through an unrestricted educational grant by:
Course Content
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- Course Certificate
CE credit(s): 1
Course Type: Live Webinar
Published Date: May 27, 2026
This continuing education (CE) activity was developed by Endeavor Business Media with no commercial support.
This course was written for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, from novice to skilled.
Educational methods: This course is a self-instructional journal and web activity.
Provider disclosure: Endeavor Business Media neither has a leadership position nor a commercial interest in any products or services discussed or shared in this educational activity. No manufacturer or third party had any input in the development of the course content.
Requirements for successful completion: To obtain 1 CE credits for this educational activity, you must pay the required fee, review the material, complete the course evaluation, and obtain an exam score of 70% or higher.
CE planner disclosure: Laura Winfield, Endeavor Business Media dental group CE coordinator, neither has a leadership nor commercial interest with the products or services discussed in this educational activity. Ms. Winfield can be reached at lwinfield@endeavorb2b.com.
Educational disclaimer: Completing a single continuing education course does not provide enough information to result in the participant being an expert in the field related to the course topic. It is a combination of many educational courses and clinical experience that allows the participant to develop skills and expertise.
Image authenticity statement: The images in this educational activity have not been altered.
Scientific integrity statement: Information shared in this CE course is developed from clinical research and represents the most current information available from evidence-based dentistry.
Known benefits and limitations of the data: The information presented in this educational activity is derived from the data and information contained in the reference section.
Registration: The cost of this CE course is Free for 1 CE credits.
Cancellation and refund policy: Any participant who is not 100% satisfied with this course can request a full refund by contacting Endeavor Business Media in writing.
Provider information:
Endeavor Business Media is a nationally approved PACE program provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.
Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.
11/1/2024 to 10/31/2028.
Provider ID# 320452
AGD code: 730
Endeavor Business Media is designated as an approved provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHEBM (January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit. AADH code: AADHEBM-573-5-2026-1
