BDA publishes guide to improve management of oral cancer
The British Dental Association has published a guide to help practitioners manage the growing problem of oral cancer.
In the last decade alone, the number of cases of oral cancer has increased by 40 percent and many people are still unaware of the disease. The guide, which is called ‘Early detection and prevention of oral cancer: a management strategy for dental practice’ offers practical advice and information for practitioners and has been published to try and promote early detection and improve clinical management of the disease.
Currently, many people are unaware of the prevalence of oral cancer and as the disease has a low media profile, most people are not aware of the symptoms and signs they should be looking out for; as a consequence, many cases of oral cancer and not diagnosed until they are at an advanced stage and survival rates are subsequently lower.
The guide stresses the need for early detection and diagnosis and offers information and advice about talking to patients about oral cancer, risk factors for oral cancer and discussing lifestyle choices with patients, as well as offering tips on taking a medical history and record keeping.
The guide also discusses the increasingly common problem of patients taking legal action against dentists; a growing number of patients are accusing their dentist of missing signs of oral cancer and the guide provides valuable information and advice for dealing with this situation.
Professor Damien Walmsley, the BDA’s Scientific Advisor, said the guide was designed to help practitioners deal with the increasingly common problem of oral cancer. The guide not only discusses medical issues, but also deals with issues such as patient resistance to talking about their lifestyle factors, patient resistance to regular dental check-ups and talking to patients about the disease. The guide is available to practitioners free of charge.
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