Bydrae van mondpatologie tot die geneeskunde

Abstract

Oral pathology has a definite role to play in the medical field, especially in the clinical and histological diagnosis of conditions presenting in the oral cavity. However, oral pathology is already preforming a much wider function in general medicine - a function which can be extended still further. It embraces, amongst others, close co-operation with medical colleagues in the management of genetic diseases, cancer (including the prevention of cancer and the management of patients already receiving radio-therapy), the treatment of geriatric patients (the aged), and work in the field of forensic medicine. The Department of Oral Pathology is faced with an enormous challenge in its efforts to limit the number of cases presenting with oral cancer. This condition is responsible for a notable percentage of cancer deaths and includes types which drastically shorten the life expectancy of patients. What makes the situation even more serious is that up to 90% of oral cancers are closely associated with environmental factors which can easily be identified and eliminated if only the public were made more aware of their existance. Moreover, a high percentage of oral cancers can be successfully treated, provided they are diagnosed at an early stage. In order to reduce the incidence of oral cancer, The Department of Oral Pathology sees it as its primary task to engender in the public mind an awareness of oral cancer, and in particular to motivate the "high risk" patient to assess his own situation. Several research programmes have already been undertaken in the Department of Oral Pathology. The goal for the future, in addition to basic research, is to lay more emphasis on clinical research. It is hoped that, by doing so, a greater contribution will be made to both the medical and dental health of the community. Extensive programmes have already been planned in this connection, such as thorough clinical testing of materials and medicaments that are used in dentistry. Other research programmes planned for the future include work on specific oral infections, and more particularly an investigation into the background and causes of oral cancer.