Estimating the Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Screening is widely believed to facilitate early detection and improve health outcomes; however, recent evidence questions its overall benefits, highlighting the need for a critical assessment of cancer screening programs. The simplicity of clinical oral examination and the easy accessibility of the oral cavity make oral cancer a suitable candidate for opportunistic screening. Despite this uniqueness, studies that solidly assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of oral cancer screening are scanty, and the only large randomized trial undertaken so far shows limited evidence of mortality reduction through population screening. Research indicates that while early detection rates following screening may increase, they do not necessarily translate into decreased oral cancer deaths. This article emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the benefits of screening, awareness of deceptive metrics and inherent biases in the context of early detection, and the importance of improving dentist education and introducing new technologies to enhance clinical decision-making. The review calls for a balanced and evidence-based approach to oral cancer screening, integrating it with broader oral health initiatives to maximize public health outcomes.