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

Abstract

Context: Oral and maxillofacial pathology (OMFP) is a subspecialization having a masters course in India. Due to lesser number of oral pathologists in the country, the biopsy material from the head and neck is catered to by the general pathologist. Aim: This survey was conducted to acquire responses from general pathologists and gathering knowledge on their perspective of oral pathology. Methods: Pathologists at various medical institutions and at laboratories all over Karnataka were requested to answer a questionnaire comprising 13 questions pertaining to the need and scope of oral pathology. Results: In total, 37 (57%) general pathologists completed the questionnaire, of whom 97% (36) were aware of the specialty and 30 (81%) perceived a need for it. Eleven (30%) of them referred oral biopsy specimens to oral pathologists. The most common sources of diagnostic difficulty were identified as odontogenic tumors and cysts. Twenty-six (70%) pathologists felt the need for a short-term posting for their postgraduates in oral pathology, while 28 (76%) of them expressed their opinion about considering an oral pathologist as a part of their team when diagnosing complex head and neck pathologies. Twelve (71%) of them mentioned that they sometimes found that head and neck lesions took longer time to diagnose. Conclusion: Although the utilization of OMFP specialists’ services in the state is quite low, general pathologists strongly feel the need for OMFP training as head and neck specimens form a considerable proportion of biopsies received by them.

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

“…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. These results align with the study conducted by Salian and Natarajan, 3 which emphasized the importance of oral pathologists in the diagnosis of oral pathological lesions, as perceived by general pathologists. One of the key reasons for this preference is that oral pathologists undergo comprehensive training for a period of 2–4 years specifically in the field of oral pathology, which equips them with extensive knowledge and advanced skills necessary for accurate diagnosis in this specialized area.…”

“…Additionally, we observed that more than half of the general pathologists did not refer cases of odontogenic cysts and tumors to oral pathologists. This contrasts with a previous study 3 where these pathologies were frequently referred for consultation with oral pathologists. The limited exposure of general pathologists to oral and maxillofacial region pathologies could explain this discrepancy, leading to uncertainty and a lower rate of referrals in such cases.…”

“…1,2 The American Academy of OMFP defined OMFP as a subspecialty within the field of dentistry that focuses on the characterization, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that involve the head and neck region. 3 The OMFP encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases within the oral and maxillofacial region, utilizing both medical, and dental knowledge. One of its specialized aspects lies in the field of oral pathology.…”

“…1 , 2 The American Academy of OMFP defined OMFP as a subspecialty within the field of dentistry that focuses on the characterization, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that involve the head and neck region. 3 …”

“… 7 Studies have reported and emphasized on the shortage of specialists in head and neck pathology, the demand for such expertise remains high, and experienced general histopathologists are often relied upon for head and neck lesion assessments. 2 , 3 These lesions have emerged as the third most frequently misdiagnosed conditions due to the scarcity of specialists. 4 It is important to note that misdiagnosed malignancies can significantly impact patient prognosis and treatment outcomes.…”