The Role of Primary Health Professionals
The Role of Primary Health Professionals
Regular check-ups by a dentist, which include examination of the oral mucosa, are important in the early detection of oral cancer or potentially malignant lesions. Additionally, contact with primary care dental team members - including hygienists - provides, not only screening opportunities, but an appropriate setting for the delivery of oral cancer preventive advice. However, only around half the adult Scottish population is registered with a dentist at any one time, and the proportion attending on a regular basis is much lower. Additionally, those considered most at risk, i.e. the elderly and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, are least likely to visit a dentist.
Other primary health care professionals, e.g. general medical practitioners, nursing personnel and community pharmacists, therefore have an important role to play in encouraging dental attendance, and in promoting both general and oral health. An examination of the mouth should be considered a routine part of any physical examination. Furthermore, people with oral discomfort often first present to non-dental health professionals, such as community pharmacists or members of the primary care medical team. It is therefore important that all health care professionals are aware of oral cancer, and of the need for individuals to have their mouths examined by a specialist, should signs and/or symptoms last longer than three weeks.
All primary health care professionals should be aware of their role in the identification and appropriate referral of individuals with oral mucosal complaints which last longer than three weeks.