[Detection strategies and risk factors in oral cancers]

Current methods used by health providers in early detection of oral cancers have some shortcomings, this is why, besides the clinical examination that combines the study of the head and neck, oral cavity, and the evaluation of general health status, now are available new ones, like intra oral camera, digital imaging, and computerized expert systems which offer new opportunities for clinically significant data collection, analysis, storing and use. Oral cancers are part of the upper aero-digestive cancers therefore they share the same epidemiologic features and risk factors. Main risk factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption. In the last decades, compared to men, women are increasingly exposed to these risk factors. Oral diagnostic specialties can offer a pro-active influence in the research of oral cancers and both professional and oral research associations can participate in establishing new strategies in oral cancers early detection.