The epidemiology of oral tumours. A report prepared by a Working Group of the Commission on Classification and Statistics for Oral Conditions.

The vital statistics collected by the national and international registries and organizations include information on oral cancer. As their work proceeds and the accumulated information increases and probably also becomes progressively more reliable because of increasing accuracy in clinical diagnosis and death certification, the purpose of epidemiological research, that is, the identification of etiological factors, will come nearer to fulfilment. On the other hand, very little is known about the epidemiology and demography odontogenic tumours. Although these tumours are relatively uncommon they are of considerable practical and theoretical importance to dentists, oral surgeons and pathologists. Since workers in the oral field are especially concerned with these lesions they are in a particularly favourable situation to collate data. Although a lengthy period would be required to amass significant numbers of cases, the effect would be well worth while.