Abstract
We report two types of oral cancer examinations in Iwate prefecture. One is individual examinations starting from 2010 and the other is group examinations starting from 2011.
The individual examinations for oral cancer by members of the Iwate Dental Association were performed during routine dental treatment at private clinics. We supported them by making examination manuals and receiving patients. The members of the Iwate Dental Association consulted us about 59 patients, and 52 patients (88.1%) were treated in Iwate Medical University Hospital in 2010 and 2011. Out of the 52 patients, 8 patients (15.4%) had pathological oral cancer.
he group examination was conducted as a cohort study of oral mucosal diseases at Otsuchi-cho in Iwate prefecture. The subjects were 2,001 residents in this town. At the first examination in 2011, 2 subjects (0.10%) had a diagnosis of oral cancer, 9 (0.45%) had leukoplakia and 6 (0.30%) had oral lichen planus. From 2012 to 2015, 2 subjects (0.14%) had a diagnosis of oral cancer, 32 (2.32%) had leukoplakia and 23 (1.66%) had oral lichen planus. The yearly average number of subjects was 1,382.
For earlier detection of oral cancer, individual oral cancer examinations by general dentists during routine dental treatment are effective. From our cohort study, we calculated the incidence rates of oral cancer, leukoplakia and oral lichen planus; we will obtain more precise incidence rates and/or factors of oral mucosal diseases in our further studies.
