Early diagnosis in oral cancer may have a major role in improving survival rates, allowing patients to take advantage of less aggressive treatments, mitigating the morbidity of the process. Definitive diagnosis of oral cancer is the result of a complex chain of related events. In an attempt to shorten this time period, many authors have developed different theoretical models for explaining the diagnostic process. The absence of a widely accepted framework and the heterogeneous approaches to this issue hamper research on this topic. Public awareness about oral cancer is low, and patients frequently delay consultation with a healthcare professional despite having experienced some kind of symptoms for months. The design of the healthcare system has also a part in this play, as there are vidences supporting the idea that health policies modulate not only the diagnostic or treatment intervals, but also the patient's help-seeking period. General medical and dental practitioners are in an excellent position for early diagnosis and prevention of oral cancer. Continuing education programmes have proved useful in increasing knowledge and favouring positive attitudes towards oral cancer amongst healthcare providers. When asked about the main barriers for a correct diagnosis of oral cancer, clinicians usually demand further education, a better access to diagnostic resources, and complaint about tight working schedules. Thus, the aims of this narrative review have been to depict the components of the oral cancer diagnostic process, to describe the main agents involved, and also to identify feasible interventions with a potential to diminish these time intervals. 

Keywords: Oral Cancer; Diagnostic Interval; Diagnostic Delay; Health Policies; Survival