My tongue hurts.

This series of articles comprise of short reviews of clinical problems relevant to oral health care in the twenty-first century. The present article uses a composite of presenting case symptoms to hypothetically illustrate differential diagnoses of pain of the tongue and why there may, or may not be, links to aspects of infection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Patient experience of virtual consultations in Oral Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid shift to the use of virtual consultations in both primary and secondary care. The aim of this study was to assess patient experience of virtual consultations (telephone and video) in the Oral Medicine department during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A validated survey was developed with the Patient Experience Team in Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. A combination of previously validated questions and newly validated psychometric questions were used to design the patient feedback questionnaire. The survey was administered to all patients following their virtual (telephone or video) consultation. Data were synthesised and electronically analysed. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: A total of 115 surveys were completed. Over 82% rated their experience as good or very good and 69% preferred a virtual consultation for their next consultation. Thematic analysis of individual comments identified positive themes including convenience and positive/helpful clinical experience. Areas for development identified from thematic analysis included accessibility and clinical limitations in not undertaking a physical examination. CONCLUSION: Overall, the patient experience of virtual consultations in Oral Medicine was positive.