mission

Mission:
To serve as a resource for patients, address concerns/questions and to offer emotional support individually as well as through a group effort.
To serve as a central educational materials resource for both patients and practitioners by providing accurate, current information and promoting research efforts.
To serve as a referral system world wide for other university based dental schools and facilities that are knowledgeable in the treatment of oral lichen planus.

Project Goals:

The oral lichen planus web site began in 1997 with information about oral lichen planus on the page and an email address for Dr. Burkhart to correspond with patients or practitioners. Since that time, we have added other features to enhance the site and we have increased our discussion sessions. The oral lichen planus web site is the only site worldwide with these distinctive features offered to its participants.
The philosophy of the site is to provide oral lichen planus educational materials to patients with the disorder through a self-help group concept. The individual patient is perceived as a member of the larger group that comprises the worldwide patient group.
Self . help groups provide several key functions: 1) Participants receive information about the disease through printed educational materials, research articles, referrals to facilities within their area and counseling. 2) Self-help groups provide a sense of community for the participants. And, patients establish a social support system with others who share similar characteristics and concerns 3) Self-help groups serve as a central resource for the patients and the practitioners. An established self-help group is concerned with the sharing of current information and the continuation of research efforts. All emails are answered within a forty-eight hour period and referrals worldwide are made when needed. Dr Burkhart and Dr. Rees host international discussion sessions with experts in oral medicine/pathology and the transcripts are posted on the site. The site has had approximately 24,680 visitors worldwide.
Evaluation Description:
The pages have been continually updated to add new features that have enhanced the unique qualities of the site. Originally, the site contained only basic information on the facts page. Through feedback from the participants, we have added What To Do If You Have Lichen Planus, Lichenoid Reactions, and How to Apply Topical Corticoid Steroids. These sections were added as we evaluated the responses from the participants and answered emails with specific questions. Additionally, we added a Suggested Reading List that is updated periodically.
The bi-monthly, hour-long, moderated live discussion sessions have progressed to include an international component of expert guests as well as patients who participate from other countries.
In order to evaluate our efforts and to promote research in the area of oral lichen planus, we developed asurveythat is posted on the site. We are currently in the process of evaluating and tabulating the data. Sections of the survey provide the most appropriate times for discussion sessions and provide feedback on whether we are meeting the needs of the participants. The survey also provides some important demographic information and components related to the development, treatment and progression of the disorder. Segments of this data were presented at the IADR meeting last year.Lichen Planus Patient Survey
Lichen Planus Information & Live Discussions
We will be having periodic discussion room dates which will be listed on the page as they are scheduled. Additionally we will publish new information on oral lichen planus as well as other health-related materials. Please check this page periodically for new dates and new educational materials.
Your Input is Very Important
Above all, we would like to hear from you. Please let us know of any new procedures, medications or life-style changes which may have had a positive or negative effect regarding your condition. This site is dedicated to gathereing and sharing beneficial information with our visitors.
We hope that you find this resource beneficial. Please continue to make suggestions to us and let us know how we can meet your needs.

About Self-Help Research

Research on self-help groups has shown positive conclusions about patient recovery rates and has provided insight on the social and psychological benefits to the patient. Self-help programs provide several key functions:

n Participants receive information about the disease through printed educational materials, research articles, referrals to facilities within their area and counseling.
n Self-help groups provide a sense of community for the participants.
n Self-help groups serve as a central resource for the patients and the practitioners. An established self-help group is concerned with the sharing of current information and the continuation of research efforts.
n Patients establish a social support system with others who share similar characteristics and concerns.

Please feel free to participate with us in this online process, as well as with others interested in this important topic, by emailing questions or comments to Dr. Nancy Burkhart.

Dr Burkhart is an adjunct professor and educational consultant in the Department of Periodontics Baylor College of Dentistry. BCD is a component of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.

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