Risk of Malignant Transformation of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions: A Single Centre, 10-Year Review.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) are common chronic inflammatory diseases associated with malignant transformation. Risk factors associated with malignant transformation of OLP and OLL are not well defined.

Methods: A retrospective chart review assessed risk factors for progression of OLP and OLL to oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) or oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) at a tertiary care centre in Toronto, Canada.

Continuing professional development needs in pain management for Canadian health care professionals: A cross sectional survey.

Background: Continuing professional development is an important means of improving access to effective patient care. Although pain content has increased significantly in prelicensure programs, little is known about how postlicensure health professionals advance or maintain competence in pain management.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate Canadian health professionals' continuing professional development needs, activities, and preferred modalities for pain management.

The effect of funding cuts on the utilization of an oral pathology diagnostic service.

Aim: To examine what impact the loss of funding had on the utilization of the oral pathology service.

Methodology: Biopsy records were retrieved and examined in the two year period before and after the elimination of the subsidies in 2003.

Results: After the loss of funding, there was a 31% decrease in the number of specimens submitted from practitioners in private practice, with the greatest drop noted in submissions from endodontists.

Burning mouth syndrome.

Most clinicians dread seeing the patient presenting with a primary complaint of a burning pain on one or more oral mucosal surfaces. Unlike most other clinical conditions presenting in a dental office, burning mouth syndrome is recently, advances have been made towards clarifying the possible etiology of the disorder and testing the possible therapeutic modalities available. This article attempts to summarize the "state of the art" today.