Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the difference between lip skin and lip mucosa.
• Classify the most common outer lip lesions and inner lip lesions.
• Relate the importance of proper lip care and different lip pathologies.
• Develop a plan for the prevention of lip pathologies.
• Generate a decision tree of the most frequent benign and malignant lip pathologies

The lips are a delicate and expressive part of the face but are susceptible to various pathologies. Some of these pathologies are relatively harmless, others can be more serious, and others may be a consequence of our vanity. Lips are part of the extraoral clinical examination but, in many cases, are underlooked. Dental hygienists can help detect abnormalities on the lips early and help prevent more severe health problems. By discussing preventive care for chapped lips, sunburn, melanotic macules, or lesions caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, dental hygienists can teach patients how to protect their lips while improving the diagnosis and treatment of different lip problems and determine when a referral to other healthcare providers may be necessary.

Dental hygienists often encounter common lip pathologies such as angular cheilitis or cold sores. But how about those lip pathologies that can be more serious?, Lip pathologies can be a nuisance and a sign of a more severe underlying condition. Actinic cheilitis, melanoma of the lips, and even the Tyndall effect caused by lip fillers are some challenges we must understand to establish a better differential diagnosis and care for our patients. Since lip lesions can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, inflammation, and trauma, this course will guide the practitioner in using a decision tree to assist in determining a differential diagnosis for lip pathologies by taking the participants through various case studies allowing the dental professional to experience real-life scenarios to equip them for better clinical practice.