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T he First European Congress on Oral Medicine was organized by the Sociedad Espanola de Medicina Oral and held in Madrid on October 24-26, 1991. More than 200 dentists from several European na- tions and the United States attended. The following conclusions were drawn up and adopted by the Con- gress:

1. During the First European Congress on Oral Medicine it was agreed upon that an Interna- tional Academy of Oral Medicine be established with the goals of international communication and education.

2. Oral medicine is that area of special competence in dentistry concerned with diseases that involve the oral and paraoral structures, especially the oral manifestations of systemic disease and be- havioral disorders, and the oral and dental treatment of medically compromised patients.

3. During the Congress the more important as- pects of oral medicine were discussed including HIV infection, oral cancer, and precancer.

4. It should be considered unethical for a dentist to refuse treatment of an HIV-infected patient.

5, Dentists who actively treat patients have an ob- hgation to attend continuing education pro- grams on oral problems related to HIV infec- tion.

6. Dental students should have a thorough educa- tion in problems related to HIV infection.

7. The dentist has a responsibility to detect and treat precursor stages of oral cancer.

8. Dentists should provide counseling to their pa- tients on discontinuing the use of tobacco.

9. Dentists should instruct and encourage their patients on periodic self-oral examination for cancer.

Plans are underway for the Second European Con- gress on Oral Medicine. More information will be made available as plans are completed.

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