CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2026 — The American Cancer Society projects 38,720 new oral cancer cases and 8,390 deaths this year in the United States—roughly one life lost every hour. An updated clinical practice guideline from the American Dental Association (ADA) reinforces that dental visits can be the first line of defense against oral cancer.
The guideline, available online ahead of print in The Journal of the American Dental Association, finds that comprehensive clinical exams remain the most critical first step in detecting early signs of oral and lip cancers. If a lesion is detected, biopsy remains the best next course of action and the only definitive method to confirm the diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral and lip squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs).
“Dental visits can save lives,” said Dr. Mark Lingen, D.D.S., Ph.D., guideline panel chair and professor of pathology at the University of Chicago Medicine. “Oral cancer can be serious, but early detection often leads to better patient outcomes.”
Findings in the guideline generally recommend against the routine use of commercially available cytology, light-based, vital staining, or salivary adjuncts to inform whether a biopsy or specialist referral is needed for adults with visible lesions or to screen adults without visible lesions. Cytology (the examination of loose cells) may be offered in limited circumstances when biopsy (the examination of a larger piece of tissue) is not possible, advisable, or indicated, particularly for lesions that could be cause for concern. Salivary adjunct tests are recommended only for use in research settings.
“A careful look at and feel of your mouth, head, and neck is a routine and important part of every dental visit, so keep up with your regular dental checkups,” said Dr. Alessandro Villa, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.P.H.; ADA Council on Scientific Affairs guideline panel representative; chief of oral medicine, oral oncology and dentistry at Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute; and professor in the department of surgical sciences at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “Do not ignore a sore or lump in your mouth that hasn't healed in 2-3 weeks. Let your dentist or physician know, especially if you also notice bleeding, pain, difficulty swallowing, or hoarseness. If something looks concerning, your dentist may obtain a biopsy.”
The guideline is an update of a 2017 clinical practice guideline on the evaluation of potentially malignant disorders, including oral cancer. It is also the first fully developed under the ADA Living Guideline Program, established in 2025. Living evidence-informed guidelines uphold the methodological rigor of traditional guidelines but are updated as soon as new evidence emerges. This enhancement of the traditional guideline process, which usually updates every 3-5 years, allows information to be evaluated and shared more quickly with dentists, other health care professionals and patients.
Guideline development was led by the ADA in collaboration with a team of methodologists from the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a multidisciplinary guideline panel. The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) provided oversight through topic approval, panel representation, and review and approval of the final guideline.
“At the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at Penn Dental Medicine, we are committed to using cutting edge, transparent, and rigorous methodology to keep guideline recommendations up-to-date on a continual basis,” said Olivia Urquhart, Associate Director of Health Care Guidelines at the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. “Getting emerging evidence into the hands of clinicians quickly can be the difference between early detection of oral cancer and a late-stage diagnosis.”
To read the full guideline online and access related interactive resources, visit ADA.org/OralCancerGuideline. Additional information about oral cancer is available at MouthHealthy.org/OralCancer.