Sir,- In the abstract section of the journal, (British Dental Journal 194: 607) Dr Trevor Watts has produced an abstract of Candida-induced stomatopyrosis and its relation to diabetes mellitus1 but has incorrectly referred to burning mouth syndrome, instead of burning mouth symptoms (or stomatopyrosis) throughout. Whilst this may seem a trivial point to raise it is in fact the whole point of the original article. Burning mouth syndrome may be defined as pain present when no underlying dental or medical causes are identified2.

In the original paper the authors are careful to use the phrase burning mouth sensations which are present secondary to candida species, encouraged in patients with type 2 diabetes. Obviously an underlying cause has been identified, so the diagnosis cannot be burning mouth syndrome. The authors are clear on this.

I am sure there is confusion in the minds of some BDJ readers between burning mouth sensations, burning mouth symptoms and burning mouth syndrome. The abstract summary by Dr Watts does nothing to clarify this confusion, but merely adds to it.

Trevor Watts, BDJ Adviser on Abstracts responds: Dr Atkin raises an interesting point. However, the current MEDLINE description of burning mouth syndrome is: 'A group of painful oral symptoms associated with a burning or similar sensation. There is usually a significant organic component with a degree of functional overlay; it is not limited to the psychophysiologic group of disorders.' At least one authoritative source therefore disagrees with Dr Atkin on the definition of burning mouth syndrome. I agree with Dr Atkin that there is confusion over burning mouth symptoms. However, I included the abstract to warn dentists of the link with developing or established Type 2 diabetes. Abstracts are necessarily limited, and readers may always consult the original paper.