Knowledge, opinions, and practices related to oral cancer prevention and oral mucosal examination among dentists in Moldova, Belarus and Armenia: a multi-country cross-sectional study

Head and neck exam practices of dental professionals

OBJECTIVE

Periodic examination of the head and neck includes screening for oral cancer, which is largely performed in dental offices by vigilant oral healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess practice patterns among Virginia dentists in performing head and neck exams and the referral rates of biopsies after completion of head and neck exams. We hypothesized that not all dentists perform head and neck exams and there is a difference between dentists who refer patients for a biopsy and those that perform biopsies.

METHODS

General dentists and dental specialists who are members of the Virginia Dental Association were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey study through REDCap to self-report their head and neck exam protocols.

RESULTS

A total of 224 providers completed the survey. The majority of respondents were general dentists with more than 20 years in practice, who practice in a private setting, and see more than 10 patients in a day. All respondents stated they perform intraoral examinations, but 10 respondents stated they do not perform extraoral examinations. Nearly a third of respondents reported doing their own biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS

Although only 8.5% of oral healthcare providers in Virginia responded to our survey, respondents are following the 2017 ADA good practice statement by providing their patients with head and neck exams to screen for oral cancer. Additional education pertaining to extraoral anatomy, malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders, and pathology procedures may be helpful to clinicians.

Use of tongue base palpation among oral healthcare providers: Cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

To assess the use of tongue base palpation during cancer screening exams by Oral Healthcare Providers (OHPs) and explore attitudes about (1) the usefulness of oral cancer screening (OCS) in detecting early, asymptomatic lesions and (2) routine OCS of the general population.

STUDY DESIGN

Survey study.

SETTING

Private and hospital-based clinical practices of OHPs located in Massachusetts and Connecticut, United States.

METHODS

An anonymous, online 9-item survey assessing beliefs and practice patterns about cancer screening exams was distributed to OHPs with practices in Massachusetts and Connecticut from August 2020 to June 2021. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Pearson correlations. Statistically significant levels were established at P < .050.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-one responses were analyzed (response rate 17 %). Tongue base palpation was performed as part of a routine cancer screening exam by 55 % of otolaryngologists, 34 % of dentists and 29 % of OMFS (P = .030). Providers who palpated the tongue base were also more likely to use palpation as an exam technique in the tonsils (r = 0.52 [95 % CI 0.40-0.62]; P < .001) among other intra-and extra-oral anatomical subsites. Almost all dentists (92 %) and OMFS (98 %) but only 58 % of otolaryngologists considered OCS useful for detection of early, asymptomatic malignant lesions in the oral cavity (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

While tongue base palpation can detect oropharyngeal cancers in a pre-symptomatic stage, it is underutilized during routine cancer screening exams. Considering the rising incidence of oropharyngeal cancer, tongue base palpation should be established as a routine part of cancer screening by OHPs.

Association between sociodemographic characteristics and level of knowledge about oral cancer among Mexican dental health professionals: a cross-sectional online survey

BACKGROUND

A good level of knowledge in dentists is crucial for an early diagnosis of oral cancer (OC). In Latin America there are a few studies of OC knowledge among dentist, those has been performed in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, and their results showed low level of OC knowledge. On the other hand, there is no publication in which the level of knowledge of dentists in Mexico has been addressed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge of OC and to determine the association of the level of knowledge with sociodemographic characteristics among dentists in Mexico.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was designed to obtain information via questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed in the Spanish language, and the content validity was determined. The study was conducted among Mexican dentists with a 23-item questionnaire that was designed to be anonymous. The sample size was calculated using the finite population formula. Based on the responses, the level of knowledge of OC was categorized as very low, low, regular, good, or excellent. Additionally, the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the level of knowledge about OC was evaluated.

RESULTS

This research was conducted on a sample of 387 dentists. Most of the respondents were general dentists and worked in urban zones. The majority of dentists lacked a specialty (76.7%). Additionally, most of the respondents were students (44.2%). The level of knowledge of the participants was between regular and good (77.8%). On the other hand, concerning self-evaluation, most of the participants considered their knowledge of OC to be regular (50.6%). In addition, there was no association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about OC.

CONCLUSIONS

This research identified some weaknesses in most Mexican dentists' knowledge of OC.

Knowledge, Practice, and Awareness of Oral Cancer and HPV Infection among Dental Students and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Dentists play a very important part in the early identification of oral cancer lesions. This aspect of dental practice depends on the knowledge acquired during the faculty years. The aim of this study was to assess dental students' and residents' levels of awareness in terms of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dental Medicine within the "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, on a sample of 197 students in the fourth and the fifth years and first year residents in general dentistry. To assess their knowledge, a questionnaire was created containing 22 questions about the risk factors for oral cancer, with a focus on HPV infection. Results: Most participants correctly identified smoking, alcohol, and the HPV infection as risk factors and leukoplakia and erythroplasia as potentially malignant lesions. At the opposite site, aspects considered as unsatisfactory focused on the palpation of lymphatic nodules, a procedure largely carried out by 41.6% of the fourth year students, the counseling only of the patients at risk performed by 59.7% of residents, the lack of knowledge about the prevention of oral cancer through anti-HPV immunization found in 39.7% of the fifth year students. Other incorrect answers focused on other types of suspicious lesions, such as actinic cheilitis, as well as certain areas in the oral cavity subject to the frequent onset of oral cancer, such as buccal mucosa. Conclusions: Although the fifth year students and residents have better knowledge than the fourth year students, the gaps in terms of knowledge and practice encountered in all three categories of participants require a reevaluation of the academic curriculum and the focus on the building of the skills necessary for the correct screening of oral cancer.

Análise da cobertura de saúde bucal e práticas das equipes de saúde bucal na atenção primária em municípios sul-mato-grossenses

Resumo Introdução Considerando a estimativa para o Brasil de 15.190 novos casos de câncer de boca e orofaringe para o triênio de 2020 a 2022, justifica-se a importância de o odontólogo na atenção primária estar capacitado para o diagnóstico precoce de câncer de boca e orofaringe, à biópsia e à regulação ao Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas. Objetivo Analisar a cobertura de saúde bucal e práticas das equipes de saúde bucal da atenção primária à saúde quanto ao cuidado ao câncer de boca e orofaringe em municípios de Mato Grosso do Sul. Material e método Estudo descritivo, transversal, quantitativo, em bases de dados secundários oficiais e públicos, referentes aos municípios do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul em que foram determinadas prevalência de câncer de boca e orofaringe, CID-10 C00 - C10, cobertura de saúde bucal e análise de dados de cuidado em saúde bucal do PMAQ-AB, 3º Ciclo. Resultado Houve divergência nas respostas entre as equipes de saúde bucal de alguns municípios no direcionamento do fluxo de referenciamento para biópsia e tratamento do câncer de boca e orofaringe, evidenciando desconhecimento das ofertas de serviços especializados. Conclusão Há fragilidades no processo de trabalho que podem influenciar no estadiamento do diagnóstico, tratamento, qualidade de vida e sobrevida do paciente com neoplasia maligna de boca e orofaringe. São importantes a capacitação e valorização das equipes de saúde bucal por meio de uma educação continuada e permanente, voltada ao diagnóstico precoce e à orientação dos fluxos assistenciais aos serviços especializados de referência, fortalecendo a coordenação do cuidado e ordenação na rede de atenção à saúde.