Press Releases

9 June 1998

‘Oral lichen’ is first focus of new group

A common but little understood mouth disease known as ‘oral lichen planus’ is to become the first focus of a new group of specialists from across Scotland and beyond, who met for the first time recently at the University of Dundee.

The Scottish Oral Medicine Group pools the expertise of some 20-30 dentists, scientists and doctors from centres in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Head of the Oral Medicine Unit at the Dundee Dental Hospital & School Professor Derrick Chisholm who, with Dr Alex Crighton, has been a driving force in the group’s creation explained its significance : ‘As oral cancer numbers rise and medicine increasingly recognises the significance of oral conditions such as dry mouth and white patches as symptoms of underlying diseases, so the field is throwing off its ‘cinderella-specialism’ image. What we hope to do by forming this group is to short circuit the referral process for patients and become a focal point for taking action on the priorities of oral medicine.’

The first of those priorities is to be oral lichen planus.

Professor Chisholm: ‘Oral lichen planus, is a debilitating condition recognised by characteristic white fernlike patches appearing in the inside of the cheeks. We know that it has an anxiety component and is linked with a similar skin disease. We know how to treat it and how to manage the condition but we don’t yet fully understand its cause and hence its cure. By pooling our knowledge and expertise we hope as one of the first tasks of this group, to kick start further research in this area.’

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