Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the difference between lip skin and lip mucosa.
• Classify the most common outer lip lesions and inner lip lesions.
• Relate the importance of proper lip care and different lip pathologies.
• Develop a plan for the prevention of lip pathologies.
• Generate a decision tree of the most frequent benign and malignant lip pathologies

The lips are a delicate and expressive part of the face but are susceptible to various pathologies. Some of these pathologies are relatively harmless, others can be more serious, and others may be a consequence of our vanity. Lips are part of the extraoral clinical examination but, in many cases, are underlooked. Dental hygienists can help detect abnormalities on the lips early and help prevent more severe health problems. By discussing preventive care for chapped lips, sunburn, melanotic macules, or lesions caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, dental hygienists can teach patients how to protect their lips while improving the diagnosis and treatment of different lip problems and determine when a referral to other healthcare providers may be necessary.