Capacity of dermatologists to diagnose oral and perioral lesions compared with orthodontists, primary care physicians, and pediatricians.

Abstract

Oral pathology is an interdisciplinary field of unclear boundaries. Only a few studies have been previously published comparing the diagnostic capacity among different specialists taking care of the disorders involving oral mucosa and perioral skin. The goal of this study was to assess the capacity for diagnosing dermatologic conditions involving the oral mucosa and perioral skin in children and adults among orthodontists, dermatologists, and primary care physicians. Samples of orthodontists (n = 118), dermatologists (n = 100), pediatricians (n = 75), and family doctors (n = 68) were selected for the study. Two tests of 30 color clinical photographs each were prepared, one containing oral lesions in children and other one in adults. Statistical and comparative analyses of correct and incorrect answers were performed in each group and subgroup of participants. Dermatologists were clearly better trained than other specialists in oral and perioral pathology. This advantage over their counterparts in other specialties was seen in both residents and board-certified dermatologists. Though by small margin, orthodontists showed better performance than pediatricians and family doctors. Dermatologists showed higher capacity to achieve the right diagnosis in common oral and perioral disorders than orthodontists, pediatricians, and family doctors.