Course Outline and Learning Objectives
Part I. Oral Cancer: The Journey
This course will review the oral cancer patient’s journey – from the initial visit to the dentist to cancer treatment to reconstruction and beyond. Learning objectives are to understand:
- The diagnosis of oral cancer, including the biopsy procedure and relaying results.
- Pathways of oral cancer referral in Ontario.
- Contemporary management of oral cancer including new advances.
- The role of the dentist in all phases of care (pre-, peri- and post-cancer care).
Part II. Suspicious Oral Lesions: What Should Make Me Worry?
It is not uncommon for dentists to encounter oral lesions and it is imperative to know what features should elicit concern for oral precancer and cancer. Learning objectives are to understand:
- Trends in oral precancer and cancer.
- Methods of identification and features that should raise concern.
- Proper documentation, formation of a differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach.
- How and when to refer (the do’s and dont’s).
Part III. Oral Ulcers: What to Do about These?
Oral ulcerative lesions are amongst the most common reason for oral pathology referral. Diagnosis is often challenging as there are a myriad of potential causes. Learning objectives are to understand:
- An approach for the diagnosis, including perils and pearls.
- Management of common oral ulcerative disorders, including lichen planus and recurrent aphthous stomatitis.