Oral Medicine — Update for the dental practitioner Oral Cancer

Abstract

This series provides an overview of current thinking in the more relevant areas of oral medicine for primary care practitioners, written by the authors while they were holding the Presidencies of the European Association for Oral Medicine and the British Society for Oral Medicine, respectively. A book containing additional material will be published. The series gives the detail necessary to assist the primary dental clinical team caring for patients with oral complaints that may be seen in general dental practice. Space precludes inclusion of illustrations of uncommon or rare disorders, or discussion of disorders affecting the hard tissues. Approaching the subject mainly by the symptomatic approach -as it largely relates to the presenting complaint -was considered to be a more helpful approach for GDPs rather than taking a diagnostic category approach. The clinical aspects of the relevant disorders are discussed, including a brief overview of the aetiology, detail on the clinical features and how the diagnosis is made. Guidance on management and when to refer is also provided, along with relevant websites which offer further detail.

Is there scope for providing oral cancer health advice in dental access centres?

“…In addition, the majority of patients in these groups were male, in a disease process where being female is a survival characteristic. 1 Information provided by patients was taken at face value; there were no secondary questions to check the veracity of the responses, and this may be a source of under-reporting. 8,9 Furthermore, the results are based on a single dental access centre and as such it is questionable as to whether the fi nd ings are generalisable to dental access centres throughout the rest of the United Kingdom.…”

“…1 The incidence in the UK is approximately 3,885 cases per annum, with a mortality rate of just over 50% despite treatment. 2 The detection of oral cancer at an early stage is the most effective means to improve survival and reduce morbidity, with fi ve year survival rates increasing to 80% when lesions are found and treated early.…”

“…1 Age, tobacco and alcohol dominate the oral cancer landscape, and the combination of tobacco and alcohol are particularly important aetiological factors in the development of OSCC. 4,5 As such, primary prevention initiatives (ie smoking cessation, reduction of alco hol consumption) should be directed at those who are under 45 years old, who use tobacco and are moderate to heavy drinkers.…”

Awareness of halitosis among the general population

“…Problems in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract infections also cause oral malodor as a consequence of nasal or sinus secretions passing into the oropharynx. [11] 6. Xerostomia due to salivary gland problems can also lead to halitosis.…”

Patient awareness of oral cancer health advice in a dental access centre: a mixed methods study

“…1 Surgical techniques and non-surgical management of oral cancer have become more advanced in recent years, 2 but it continues to be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. 2,3 Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 95% of oral cancers.…”