THE ROLE OF DENTISTS  IN PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF ORAL CANCER

Dr.GOWTHAM SUNKARA; Dr DEEPTHI PADMA ERIPILLA

Volume : IV, Issue : IV, April - 2015

THE ROLE OF DENTISTS IN PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF ORAL CANCER

Dr. Gowtham Sunkara, Dr Deepthi Padma Eripilla

Abstract :

<p>Oral cancer is among the 10 most common cancers worldwide. It has a good prognosis when detected at&nbsp;</p> <div>an early stage yet half of the patients diagnosed with oral cancer have advanced stage disease, for which prognosis&nbsp;</div> <div>is poor. Although most oral tumors are preceded by pre&ndash;malignant lesions, the asymptomatic nature of oral cancer,&nbsp;</div> <div>diagnostic delay, and the possibility of hidden tumors, limit the ease at which oral cancer is detected early. This fact underlines the importance of&nbsp;</div> <div>a methodical approach in examination of oral mucosa of every patient seeking dental consultation as the reliable method for early detection of&nbsp;</div> <div>oral carcinoma. Therefore, Dentists have a pivotal role to play in contributing to the prevention and early detection of oral cancer thus helping to&nbsp;</div> <div>reduce the morbidity and mortality from this terrible disease</div>