Simplifying differential diagnoses of orofacial conditions - a guide to surgical sieves and red flags

Formulation of a differential diagnosis with appropriate diagnostic tests is critical in day to day clinical practice. Many specialists or hospital-based practitioners in specialties such as oral medicine and oral surgery will be familiar with the use of surgical sieves and the term red-flags in their practice. However, it is the authors’ experience that General Dental Practitioners may not be as familiar with such tools. Primary care practitioners are often the first port of call for patients with uncommon symptoms, it is vital that appropriate and timely referrals are made and the use of a surgical sieve and awareness of ‘red-flags’ will assist the practitioner.