Dentists should prioritize clinical examinations over vital staining adjuncts for early oral cancer detection, according to an updated guideline from the American Dental Association.
The guideline, published April 6 in the Journal of the American Dental Association, is an update to a 2017 guideline on the evaluation of potentially malignant disorders.
The ADA reaffirmed that comprehensive extraoral and intraoral exams should be performed on all adults. The organization also stated that clinicians should obtain updated medical, social and dental histories for patients.
The ADA also provided conditional recommendations against the use of vital staining adjuncts to determine the need for biopsy or specialist referral. According to the guideline, evidence does not support the use of vital staining adjuncts to determine which lesions require biopsy or referral, and clinicians should perform a timely biopsy or referral if mucosal abnormalities are identified.
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