An insight into perceptions of general pathologists about the need for oral pathology services: An observational study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the degree of perception of oral pathology as a specialty among the general pathologists and the need of utilizing oral pathologists in assisting to identify oral lesions in diagnostic challenges.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among qualified general pathologists to collect the data. The survey items focused on various aspects, including the analysis of oral pathology as a specialty, the importance of employing oral pathologists for identifying oral lesions in diagnostic challenges, and the difficulties encountered in managing such lesions. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For comparing the relationship between work experience and the referral of odontogenic cysts and tumors cases, a Chi-square test was employed. A significance level of  ⩽ 0.05 was deemed as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty general pathologists responded to the questionnaire. Two hundred and thirty two (92.8%) participants showed awareness of oral pathology as a specialty. For the diagnosis of oral, jaws, and salivary glands pathologic lesions, the majority 198 (79.2%) respondents believed that oral pathologists are required for the diagnosis. Regarding the referrals of lesions to oral pathologists, 137 (54.8%), participants did not refer. In terms of training in oral pathology, all of the participants agreed that they would undertake short-term posting in oral pathology. For challenging cases, all the general pathologists believed that oral pathologists should be part of the team.

CONCLUSION

The general pathologists recognized oral pathology as a specialty and feel the need for an oral pathologist opinion in diagnosis. However, most of the general pathologists did not refer the complex cases to oral pathologists. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to encourage oral pathologists and their hiring at histopathology laboratories that are diagnosing complex head and neck cases.