Strengths and weaknesses of screening programmes for oral malignancies and potentially malignant lesions

Screening for oral cancer is in an early stage of development. No randomized controlled trials have been undertaken to determine the impact of screening on mortality or even on interim outcomes such as incidence or down-staging. Until such data are available, mass screening for oral cancer is not recommended as public health policy. Case finding studies to identify individuals at risk because of life-style, and to detect potentially malignant oral mucosal changes followed by appropriate intervention may, however, reduce the future incidence of oral cancer. Where manpower is available, opportunistic screening focused on high-risk subjects may be beneficial.