The issue of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) remains largely unrecognized and neglected in much of the Western world. This addiction-related condition has been likened to the "someone else's problem" (SEP) field, as highlighted by author Douglas Adams. Despite warning signs in the USA and Europe, many policymakers have shown indifference towards addressing this widespread problem. One of the reasons for the lack of attention to OSF in Western medical and dental literature is the scarcity of reported cases.
Even recent publications on oral precancerous lesions have overlooked the significance of OSF. For example, the 2017 edition of the WHO Classification of Head and Neck tumors, while classifying OSF as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD), failed to provide a detailed description of the clinical nature of this condition. It is crucial for healthcare professionals and…
