Oral Exam Checklist

Introduction:
1. Greets the patient.
2. Introduces yourself and role.
3. Confirm patient Identity.
4. Wash your hands, dry them and warm them.
5. Explains the procedure to the patient.
6. Takes permission from the patient.
7. Stand on the right side of the patient.

Required Equipment:
1. Tongue depressor
2. Light Source

Inspection: Use a torch to ensure good lighting, and use a tongue depressor when needed
to better visualize the oral structures, as demonstrated in the video link below.
1. Lips
a. Inspect landmarks – vermilion zone, commissures, nasolabial fold
b. Inspect color (e.g. cyanosis, jaundice, pallor)
c. Inspect surface for ulcerations, blisters, growths, thickness changes
2. Buccal mucosa – have patient open mouth wide in order to inspect.
3. Palate
a. Inspect color of hard and soft palate and inspect for ulcerations, thickenings,
exudates, petechiae.
4. Tongue – inspect in normal resting position and in a protruded position.
a. Inspect color and texture of dorsal, ventral and lateral surfaces. Look for plaques,
ulcerations, thickenings, changes in papillae
b. Evaluate movement of tongue
5. Floor of the Mouth – have patient open their mouth and raise their tongue to the roof of
their mouth to inspect the floor.
a. Inspect for color and texture changes (e.g. cyanosis, jaundice, pallor)

Palpation:
1. Submandibular Gland
a. Palpate over the parotid and submandibular glands (which should
NOT be visible at their normal size). Note the consistency as well as
any enlargement or tenderness.
2. Tongue
a. Ask the patient to stick out their tongue. Using a piece of gauze, grab
the tongue with your right hand and pull it to the patient's left.
Palpate the right side of the tongue for any nodules, tenderness, or
hardening. Repeat for left side.
b. Using a tongue depressor, the tongue can be pushed down to better
visualize the pharynx. The tongue depressor should be placed on the
middle third of the tongue. The tongue is depressed and scooped
forward behind the front teeth.
3. Floor of Mouth
a. Slide your right index finger under their tongue and palpate the floor
of the mouth.
 b. Simultaneously place your left index & middle fingers under the
person's chin and palpate upwards.
c. Note & describe any thickening, masses, induration or tenderness.

Oral cavity examination video link