From Volume 42, Issue 6, July 2015 | Pages 520-524
Facial skin lesions are common; patients may present with a nodule, crack, ulcer or abnormal discoloration of the skin that is not normally present. Ideally, dentists should include face examination in their routine clinical examination. Any suspicious lesion should be referred to a dermatologist as an early diagnosis and treatment could be life-saving. This article will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of common lesions of the face.
Dentists are in a good position to observe their patients' faces for any suspicious lesions. Patients may present with a lump, crack, ulcer or abnormal discoloration of the skin that is not normally present. Dentists should include facial examination in their routine clinical examination and should appreciate the differential diagnosis of common skin lesions. This article will discuss the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common facial lesions and it will enable the general dental practitioner to differentiate among the various lesions, appropriately evaluate the differential diagnosis and refer any suspicions lesions to a dermatologist or a maxillofacial surgeon, when indicated.
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer on the sun-exposed areas of face, head and neck. It accounts for about 75% of non-melanoma skin cancers.1,2 BCC presents as an epidermal neoplasm; a malignancy of the basal cells of the skin. It is slow growing, locally invasive and rarely metastases. BCC is capable of extensive local destruction and invasion. This is why early referral is important. The most significant aetiological factor implicated is ultra-violet light.3
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