[Oral cancer screening: how to develop a country-wide opportunistic system in Hungary]

In Hungary, oral cancer represents a very heavy public health problem. Even epidemiological evidence in support of the effectiveness of organized screening for early detection does not exist, the efforts to detect the precancerous lesions and early cancers of oral cavity must be continued. The mass screening component of the National Public Health program provides a good opportunity for that. Following the Government decision, a multidisciplinary Working Group has been brought together, and a proposal made to develop a country-wide opportunistic system to regularly examine those at high risk for oral cancer. In addition to dentists, primary care personnel as well as the occupational health service have a lot to offer to the desired effect: reduction of mortality from oral cancer.