Oral and oropharyngeal cancer is an aggressive epithelial malignancy. Despite advances in treatment, long-term survival has remained modest. This is due to many factors, including delayed diagnosis. Early detection and prevention are critical aspects of managing this disease. This lecture will review the etiologic factors associated with both oral and oropharyngeal cancer. It will also emphasize and review the critical role of dentistry in performing a comprehensive visual and tactile exam and review the American Dental Association (ADA) Clinical Guidelines for oral cancer screening.
Learning Objectives:
Appreciate the critical role of dental healthcare professionals in screening for oral premalignancy and oral/oropharyngeal cancer.
Understand the importance of performing a thorough visual and tactile exam on all patients.
Implement the ADA Clinical Guidelines algorithm for oral cancer screening.
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.jpg "Mark Lingen, DDS, PhD photo")