Teledentistry may help in detecting oral cancers in current GP and dentist shortages

Referrals to head and neck surgeons for suspected oral cancer are generally higher from areas of socioeconomic deprivation. Here, lifestyle risk factors like smoking and alcohol consumption are more prevalent yet NHS dental provision is poorest.1Arguably because of the comparative ease of access, referrals for oral cancers in England have been shown to originate from GPs more than from dentists,2 particularly those based in deprived areas. Research3 suggests that up to 380 000 patients a year see their GP, rather than a dentist, with dental problems.Non-dentists have, however, a lack of expertise and experience in oral pathology. Some 95% of patients referred for suspected head and neck cancer in England are not diagnosed with a cancer.4A systematic review showed high levels of agreement between teledentistry and clinical consultation when it comes to oral lesions.5 Electronic sharing of high resolution smartphone photographs of the oral cavity with specialists has been successfully…
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