The standard of care for oral diagnosis as it relates to oral cancer.

The periodic oral examination of patients must be performed by the dentist as standard procedure. As a physician of the mouth, the dentist must also be able to recognize abnormalities or lesions and then provide, or refer patients for, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of the condition. With prompt and decisive action, the dentist can save lives and influence the morbidity of oral cancer. Conversely, inadequate diagnostic skills and improper documentation techniques can incur legal consequences.