WNL: Within Normal Limit or a Dangerous Assumption?

About this Seminar

The ability to save a life through earlier diagnosis is a gratification that may not be compared to anything we do in dentistry. In yet the complexities of clinical presentation do not always make this an easy task. WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS…a very bold and broad sweeping statement that definitively distinguishes between health and disease and in some cases, an outcome of life vs. death. The responsibility of this statement and the onus to the patient is of grave consequence and may in fact be a very dangerous assumption. Medical and dental litigation is swiftly changing with malpractice insurance premiums escalating. There has been a significant rise in failure to diagnose and failure to biopsy. Through a guided visual journey of inspiring and moving oral/oropharyngeal cancer stories of survivors and those who have lost their lives, learn the subtle life-saving symptoms and critical screening techniques that will increase our opportunity to save a life by translating acquired knowledge direct to practice! This is a presentation you will never forget.

Learning Outcomes:

• To recognize the prevalence and incidence of current oral and oropharyngeal cancer


• To explore the critical components and palpation techniques of today’s extraoral/intraoral screening exam


• To identify the subtle and often lifesaving symptoms that can be so easily overlooked


• To integrate best practices to enhance our ability to discover abnormalities in the earliest stages


• To proactively manage and treat the compromised oral environment of the head and neck cancer patient

Presenters

About Jo-Anne Jones

RDH, 2026 Dentistry Today CE Leader

As a respected thought leader and international, award-winning speaker, Jo-Anne Jones has done over 1,000 presentations worldwide inspiring audiences with a dynamic speaking style that has made her a sought-after lecturer in the dental community. Jo-Anne joins the 2026 Dentistry Today CE Leaders for the 16th consecutive year, is a previous DPR Top 25 Women in Dentistry honoree, published internationally and a 2021 Fellowship Award recipient with the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics. Jo-Anne’s reputation for clinical excellence translated into practical, life-saving action has evolved into Expert Witness Consulting, where she contributes her insight to personal injury cases.

Her expertise has also led to her participation in a film trailer for an upcoming documentary examining the rapidly changing profile of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. A passionate educator and tireless advocate, Jo-Anne was instrumental in launching the international Check Your Mouth campaign, empowering the public to perform oral self-examinations between professional visits and strengthening early detection efforts worldwide. A frank and open lecture style and a focus on direct knowledge translation have earned Jo-Anne many loyal followers both nationally and internationally.