Susan, the dentist missing the mark just continues to astound me. Teresa was treated by her dentist for 2 months prior to finally being referred to and ENT who took one look, did the biopsy right there and prepared her for the SCC diagnosis.

She had lichen planus in the past and he was convinced it was a recurrence despite the horrific pain she was in (obviously the cancer was biting on a nerve). Then he decided she was biting her tongue during the night. After her diagnosis she saw him and he told her about a false scare with a patient in the past. DUH! I have begged her to never see this guy again. As far as I am concerned he was protecting himself rather than looking after the best interest of his patient. While I don't blame the guy for her cancer, he sure as hell allowed it to progress while he piddled around for two months.

Sorry to rant, but it just irritates the me to no end that the guys on the "front lines" so often fail to make the referral on a timely basis.

Dodie