Oral cancer is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm affecting the mouth. Early identification has been shown to improve morbidity outcomes. 

This course will provide a review of potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa and an overview of current thinking in aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and multidisciplinary care of oral cancer. 

The dental practitioner is in a unique position to regularly assess the oral soft tissues for changes indicative of oral cancers or potentially malignant lesions. Given the devastating consequences of delayed diagnosis, it is a dental professional’s obligation to optimise their ability to detect early disease by performing an opportunistic oral mucosal assessment as part of a comprehensive oral examination for every patient at every visit.

What happens after surgery?
Being diagnosed with oral cancer and going through surgery can be very stressful. Knowing what to expect and how to manage after surgery has an large impact on the patient.

Prosthetic rehabilitation in patient after ablative oral surgery is important in order to restore both oral function and facial contour form to aid the patient’s physical and psychological recovery. 

Topics include

• Review of potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa
• Oral cancer
• The role of adjunctive aids in clinical examination
• Examination of the oral soft tissues
• Clinical challenges in the diagnostic and biopsy process
• Medicolegal implications of missed diagnosis
• Prosthetic management of the oral cancer patient

Learning Objectives

• Understand the causes and recognise the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Medicolegal implications
• What to do when you identify a suspicious lesion
• Identify considerations in prosthetic management of the oral cancer patient