Mike........NOWWWWWWWWWW we're back where we started......on the subject of professionals' role in the early detection and diagnosis process. There are far too many patients on this forum who can tell tales of having their cancers overlooked by both dentists and ENT's. Mine was not just overlooked......It was absolutely not recognized when it was there for all to see, ...classic text-book oral cancer. My dentist simply did not give me the care that I had a right to expect. There is a presumption of proficiency with our professionals. Mike has define what that is for a dentist, in the area of oral cancer detection. The facts are that some don't accept that responsibility evidently.

I am certain that some ENT's are just as guilty. But those who pay the price are you and me.

Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!