What type of oral cancer screening should be regularly conducted by dental professionals?

Regular oral cancer screenings conducted by dental professionals should include visual and tactile examinations of the oral cavity. This type of screening is vital because it allows the clinician to inspect the tissues of the mouth for any unusual lesions, color changes, or other abnormalities that could indicate the presence of oral cancer. During a visual examination, the dental professional looks for asymmetries, growths, or sores, while tactile examinations involve physically palpating tissue to assess texture and other signs of disease.

Oral cancer often presents with subtle early signs that may not be detectable through imaging or laboratory tests. Timely identification of these signs can lead to early intervention, which is crucial for better treatment outcomes. While other options like blood tests, CT scans, or imaging may have their roles in specific diagnostic contexts, they are not standard practices for routine oral cancer screenings performed in a general dental setting. Regular visual and tactile examinations are widely recognized as essential tools for detecting oral pathologies at an early stage.