HKU dentistry sets up world-first AI clinic to detect oral cancer

The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong and the Prince Philip Dental Hospital have jointly established the world’s first clinic powered by a self-developed AI web tool, OralCancerPredict, to advance early detection and prevention of oral cancer.

Oral cancer, which develops in the lining of the mouth and lips, often begins as visible precancerous lesions such as white or red plaques known as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). 

Common subtypes of OPMD include oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral lichenoid diseases (OLD). Early detection and intervention are critical, as OPMD patients face a substantially higher likelihood of malignancy.

Developed by the HKU Faculty of Dentistry in 2021, OralCancerPredict serves as a decision-support system designed to guide clinical treatment recommendations and improve cancer prevention and early detection. 

The AI-powered tool integrates multiple diagnostic dimensions, including patient demographics, medical history, clinical presentation, and histological characteristics, to accurately assess cancer progression risk in OL and OLD.

Through its risk stratification system, patients are categorized as either high-risk or low-risk. High-risk patients are recommended for surgical intervention, while low-risk cases receive guidance for supportive therapies and ongoing monitoring.

Clinical validation studies have confirmed the tool’s 94 percent diagnostic accuracy, demonstrating better performance over conventional risk assessment methods for OL and OLD cases.

HKU Dentistry stated that the AI clinic provides all patients diagnosed with OL or OLD with comprehensive treatment and regular follow-up care, without any additional cost for the AI decision-support tool.

It noted that patients with referral forms from general dentists or physicians can access this service.

(Cheng Wong)