November 2026 Regional Meeting

Credit Hours: 3 Hours
Course Title: Head and Neck Cancer: From Diagnosis to Survival
Speakers: Dr. Nicholas Callahan
Location: Renaissance Chicago O’Hare

Course Description: This lecture walks the dental provider through the entire head and neck cancer journey. It begins with what to look for during the clinical exam, including which red and white lesions are considered high risk. Dentists are on the front line of early diagnosis of head and neck cancer; however, once a lesion is identified, what happens during the diagnostic workup and treatment process is often unclear. This presentation will demystify that process by reviewing the standard metastatic workup, as well as the surgical and non-surgical treatment options for patients with head and neck cancer. The lecture will conclude with a discussion of long-term outcomes and potential sequelae of treatment that dental providers may encounter in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss which high-risk lesions in the oral cavity require immediate referral or treatment
2. Review the standard of care for the treatment of head and neck cancer
3. Discuss the side effects of head and neck cancer treatment, with particular attention to osteoradionecrosis

Speaker Bio: Dr. Nicholas Callahan is an Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Most recently, Dr. Callahan completed a Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Maryland at Baltimore Medical Center.

He received his medical school education and General Surgery training at SUNY Downstate, and his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of Pittsburgh School, of Dental Medicine for his dental school training, and also received his Masters of Public Health degree at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Dr. Nicholas Callahan is a surgeon in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at UI Health. Dr. Callahan specializes in treating patients with both benign and malignant pathologies of the head and neck. He specializes in both removal of tumors and reconstructions of the defects, and he also manages maxillofacial trauma.

Dr. Callahan is educated both in medicine and dentistry, and he is fellowship-trained in head and neck oncologic surgery and microvascular surgery.