Paying close attention to oral abnormalities and acting on any suspicious area is the first step in early diagnosis, according to author Jaime Davenport, a risk manage-ment analyst. Even if a biopsy seems premature, the option of a biopsy should be presented to the patient. The article notes that the author’s company, TDIC, has closed 9 cases involving allegations of failure to biopsy, refer, and/or diagnose oral cancer since 2004. Although general dentists usually refer patients needing biopsy to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, it is good risk management to send all excised tissue to a pathologist for evaluation, suggests the author. Tips to follow when sending tissue for biopsy include (1) call the laboratory to ensure receipt of the biopsy and document the call, (2) find out when you can expect the results of the biopsy and record the date, (3) if you do not receive the results on the agreed upon day, follow up with the laboratory, (4) appoint the patient for another biopsy if something goes awry with the first biopsy, and consider not charging for the second one, (5) call the patient when you receive the biopsy results and record the details of the call; if appropriate, refer to a specialist and follow up to ensure the patient is presented to the specialist, and document your efforts, and (6) obtain a second opinion if the pathology report is inconclusive.
(Source: GDA Action, Journal of the Georgia Dental Association, February 2007)
