CONSULTANCY IN ORAL PATHOLOGY: CURRENT SCENARIO & FUTURE SCOPE IN INDIA- A Survey Based Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND- Department of Oral Pathology provides a routine diagnostic pathology service for their associated dental hospitals and a specialist referral service for general histopathologists who may be confronted with unfamiliar lesions in the head ,neck and face regions.Despite literature that have stressed the importance of oral pathology services, there is not much published data on the use of such services by general histopathologists. AIM- The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which individual general histopathologists and other medical professionals are aware of oral pathology as a specialist discipline and whether they perceive a need for, and use of, oral pathology services, to identify lesions of the dental and orofacial tissues which pose diagnostic difficulties. METHODS: A survey-based study was conducted from December 2014 to March 2015. A questionnaire was prepared which was sent to consultant micropathologists in institutes in Navi Mumbai .All the collected data was then tabulated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 276 (73%) consultant histopathologists completely filled the questionnaire out of 352, of whom 77% (69/89) were aware of the speciality and 23% (7/30) perceived a need for it,but only23% (7/30) of the consultants refer to oral pathologists. CONCLUSION: General histopathologists are less aware of the services provided by oral pathologists. Thus, there is a need to create awareness of oral pathology services through educational activities of various Associations and reframing the graduate and postgraduate programmes. Key Words: oral pathology, general histopathology, survey, scope, consultancy, speciality.

Questionnaire-based survey regarding the opinion of general pathologists on the need for oral pathology services

“…Mudaliar et al in India (Mumbai), on the other hand, have reported lower percentages for the same in their study. [ 3 4 5 ] These differences, as highlighted by studies, could be due to differences in the training methods and curriculum related to the specialty of oral pathology. Hence, generating interest among the students toward the specialty by implementing new ideas in the curriculum in a constructive manner is needed.…”

“…Hence, generating interest among the students toward the specialty by implementing new ideas in the curriculum in a constructive manner is needed. [ 5 6 ] The oral specimen formed a small proportion of the total specimen received in all previous studies, which could be one reason for low referral rates by general pathologists. The use of a common reference book called “Shafer's textbook of Oral Pathology,” by general and oral pathologists in our survey to diagnose head and neck pathologies, could be another reason for low referrals by general pathologists.…”

“…Thus, OMFP specialists are responsible for informing their society and referral groups about the scope of their service, experience and areas of interest to create awareness for the referral. [ 5 ] Studies by the authors in the United States mentioned that second opinion or outside cases constitute major referrals to an OMFP practice. [ 7 8 ] A Brazilian study by Oliveira e Silva et al mentioned that their public health system was the major user of the diagnostic service of oral pathology in their institution.…”

An insight into perceptions of general pathologists about the need for oral pathology services: An observational study

“…The study's findings contribute to our understanding of the recognition and acknowledgment of oral pathology expertise among general pathologists, emphasizing the value of collaboration between general pathologists and oral pathologists in providing comprehensive care for patients with oral pathological conditions. Contrarily, a study conducted by Uma Mudaliar et al 13 reported a low level of awareness of oral pathology in their study, indicating the need for interventions to improve the knowledge and understanding of oral pathology among general pathologists. The findings of this study provide strong support for the belief held by many general pathologists regarding the importance of oral pathologists in the diagnosis of oral pathological lesions.…”