Referral patterns in Oral Medicine (Stomatology) and diagnosis delay. A descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze and describe the referral patterns of two groups of patients who consulted the Oral Medicine Department “A”, FOUNC during the year 2019. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study of the analysis of clinical records of two groups of patients of the Oral Medicine Department “A” (2019). Four students, supervised by two professors, carried out the examination. There were registered the following variables: gender, age, type of referral (spontaneous demand, by students, by dentists, by other professionals), pre-referral treatments, evolution (from first symptoms at the time of the stomatological consultation), and kind of lesion (cancer / pre-cancer and other injuries) and prescription of biopsies. Results: 67 clinical records were registered. The average age was 49 years (48 years for men and 50 for women). The stomatological referral by dentists was the most frequent. In 56% of the registered clinical records, the patient consulted with inefficient previous treatments (without a diagnosis) and in the remaining 44%, referrals were made without the prescription of previous treatments, noting a difference of 3 months in the average evolution of the lesions in both situations. 66% of the cases required biopsies. Discussion: When the referral is not appropriate, delays of oral lesions diagnosis are generated. Regarding these cases, the initial clinical scenario is modified, and therefore, the treatment and prognosis of the lesions. Practices must be carried out for postgraduate professional training in Oral Medicine, the promotion of early referral and awareness of self-medication risks.