Factors influencing delayed referral of oral cancer patients from family dentists to the core hospital.

Background/purpose: Most oral cancer (OC) cases are identified by family dentists in Japan. However, a significant number of patients with OC in Japan are referred to core hospitals at advanced stages. Therefore, identifying the factors that contribute to delayed referrals from family dentists to core hospitals is crucial for detecting OC in its earlier stages. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the risk factors for referral delays from family dentists to core hospitals.

Materials And Methods: The study included 63 patients with OC who were referred by family dentists to the Yamagata University Hospital between 2010 and 2022. The clinical parameters related to referral delays were retrospectively investigated using letters of reference provided by the family dentists and patient charts. Backward multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the relationships between the length of referral delay and potential risk factors. Additionally, backward multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the independent association between referral delays of >4 weeks and several clinical parameters.

Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that misdiagnosis of malignant lesions by family dentists ( = 0.047) was significantly associated with longer referral delays. Additionally, misdiagnosis of malignant lesions by family dentists was also an independent risk factor for referral delays of >4 weeks (odds ratio, 10.387;  = 0.006).

Conclusion: Misdiagnosis of malignant lesions by family dentists was a significant risk factor for referral delays from family dentists to core hospitals. Our results will motivate family dentists to improve their ability to diagnose OC.