Northpointe Dental Offers Free Services

A Zanesville dentist office is protecting its patients from two very different dangers: oral cancer and identity theft.

On Thursday Northpointe Dental offered free oral cancer screenings.  Dental Hygienist Mary Kay Waggle said her office is adamant about testing for the disease because it hits close to home.

"We had a patient about three years ago, and we found a lump on her lip," said Waggle.  "It turned out to be melanoma, and unfortunately, she had a type of cancer previously that returned in the form of oral cancer.  She passed away, and she was only 54 years old."

Waggle said people provided various reasons for getting screened, but many of those being tested don’t see a dentist on a routine basis.  She said the office also brought in Confidential Mobile Shredding to discard patients’ unwanted documents.

"If we can combine services for patients, we love to do that, whether it’s a day like this or even with appointments," said Waggle.  "One stop is better than making several, and we know that time is very important to people, so if we can combine it, we’re going to help you out that way."

Waggle said that shredding personal records can help prevent identity theft.