The Role of the Oral Brush Biopsy in Your Practice

Oral cancer represents the most crucial and lifethreatening
condition that dentists encounter. Although
oral cancer typically affects patients over 40 and those
that consume tobacco and/or alcohol, recent data
reveals that oral cancer can strike patients of all ages
and patients with no risk factors. Studies show that
there is an alarming increasing trend in the incidence or
oral cancer in young Americans. Since the mid 1970s,
the single fastest growing group of oral cancer patients
consists of young adults under age 40.1-4 The majority of
these patients have none of the traditional risk factors
such as tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption.
Coupled with the fact that the average age of patients
bringing litigation against dentists for failing to diagnose
oral cancer is 45,5 considerably less than the age of peak
incidence of oral cavity cancer, this new information
demonstrates the need for dentists to thoroughly
evaluate all patients for oral cancer, regardless of age
and risk factors.