Dentistry · Referral letter · Task 1

Persistent lateral tongue lesion

You are a dentist. The case notes below record your work on 1 September 2026. Write to Dr Helen Ward, Oral Medicine Consultant, Oral Medicine Clinic, 12 Oak Street, Brookfield. Request assessment of the persistent oral lesion, preserving the uncertainty in your findings. Select the information this recipient needs and write approximately 180-200 words in the body.

Patient: Amir Patel

Case notes

• N01Date: 1 September 2026. Patient: Amir Patel.
• N02History: left lateral tongue lesion present 3 weeks; discomfort with spicy food.
• N03Previous care: adjacent sharp filling edge smoothed; lesion persists.
• N04Today: ulcer approximately 8 mm; firm margin; same site.
• N05Relevant negatives: no reported swallowing difficulty or recent weight loss; diagnosis not established.
• N06Medical: hypertension; amlodipine; no known drug allergies reported.
• N07Social: stopped smoking 10 years ago; occasional alcohol; retired bus driver; enjoys walking.
• N08Concern: interprets referral as cancer diagnosis. Explanation given: specialist assessment required; malignancy not confirmed.
• N09Plan: urgent oral medicine pathway; Dr Helen Ward, Oral Medicine Consultant; assess lesion/investigation needs; advise subsequent dental care.
• N10Practical: can attend at short notice; contact patient directly.
• N11Enclosures: dental chart; clinical photograph; patient consents to sharing.