PriMera Scientific Surgical Research and Practice (ISSN: 2836-0028)

Editorial

Volume 6 Issue 6

The Crucial Role of Oral Pathology in Modern Dental Practice

Abhishek Jahagirdar, DDS, MDS* and Ramya Bangalore Jagadeesh, DDS, MDS

November 26, 2025

View PDF

Abstract

In an era where preventive healthcare is paramount, Oral Pathology stands as a cornerstone for practicing dentists, enabling the early identification and management of potentially life-threatening conditions. Each year, approximately 58,500 Americans are diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancers, resulting in over 12,000 deaths, with a five-year relative survival rate of only 68.5% for all stages combined [1]. However, when detected at a localized stage, the five-year survival rate exceeds 86% [1]. This dramatic difference underscores the transformative impact of early intervention that only vigilant oral pathology practice can provide.

References

  1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society (2025).
  2. Warnakulasuriya S and Greenspan JS. “Epidemiology of oral and oropharyngeal cancers”. In: Oral Cancer: Evaluation, Therapy, and Rehabilitation. Springer (2020): 3-24.
  3. Neville BW., et al. “Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology”. 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier (2016).
  4. Regezi JA, Sciubba JJ and Jordan RCK. “Oral Pathology: Clinical Pathologic Correlations”. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier (2017).
  5. Epstein JB., et al. “Limitations of the clinical oral examination in detecting dysplastic oral lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma”. J Am Dent Assoc 143.12 (2012): 1332-1342.
  6. Huber MA and Terezhalmy GT. “The role of the general dentist in the early detection of oral cancer”. Gen Dent 60.2 (2012): 88-94.
  7. Odell EW., et al. “The role of the oral pathologist in the diagnosis of oral disease”. Br Dent J 228.7 (2020): 503-508.
  8. Speight PM., et al. “The importance of oral cancer screening by dentists: a retrospective analysis of biopsy service submissions”. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 129.5 (2020): 467-473.
  9. Klosa K., et al. “Screening for oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer in general dental practice: a German pilot study”. Clin Oral Investig 26.3 (2022): 2817-2826.
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Oropharyngeal Cancer – Fact Sheet”. Updated September (2024).