Oral Cancer Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dentists in the State of Qatar

Forecasting Head and Neck Cancer Trends in GCC Countries: Implications for Public Health Policy and Strategy

Purpose

The data available on the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer types (HNCs) in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) have relied on global trends and covered only certain cancer sites, types or certain age groups. This study aimed to assess the incidence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer (HNCs) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, providing insights into their geographic variability in 2020.

Methods

Prediction of the magnitude of the disease to 2040 was explored based on demographic projections. Estimates of incidence and mortality and the population projections were extracted from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) database and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs respectively for the time frame 2020 to 2040. Additionally, we analyzed the distribution of cases and deaths by age and sex for both time periods.

Results

The analysis indicates varying patterns in HNC rates across GCC countries in 2020, with Oman and Saudi Arabia carrying the highest burden. Projections for 2040 reveal a substantial increase in new HNC cases and related deaths, particularly in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain. Furthermore, incidence rates are predicted to rise significantly for individuals aged 50 and older, while remaining relatively stable for those under 50. With regards to sex, males generally exhibit higher rates, except in Qatar.

Conclusion

HNC burden is anticipated to rise significantly in the GCC, with variations per age, sex and geographical location. By 2040, a 2-3-fold increase in HNCs in the GCC is anticipated, emphasizing the need for focused public health strategies to address this rising health challenge.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice in oral cancer: A national survey on 150 dental hygienists

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore knowledge, practice, and attitude on oral cancer (OC) among a cohort of Italian dental hygienists, in consideration of their role in the field of early diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 150 Italian dental hygienists was performed to assess the participant's knowledge, practice, and attitude on OC. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire (through Google Forms). The questionnaire included four sections: sociodemographic information, disease knowledge, answers related to attitudes toward OC, and a questionnaire assessing the practice of dental hygienists on oral screening.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 137 participants (83 women and 54 men). Overall, there is a good knowledge of the real risk factors among the participants (98.5%, 98.5%, and 94.2% regard smoking, alcohol, and HPV, respectively). The analysis related to the knowledge of non-risk factors, oral potentially malignant disorders, and clinical features of OC showed more heterogeneous results. Only 60% considered university education to be adequate. The totality of dental hygienists considered continuing education necessary, but despite this, only half took updating courses. Finally, 90% performed intraoral screening visits, and 95% and 69% investigated smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed the need to implement OC training courses by re-evaluating pre- and post-graduate training programs.

Knowledge of Oral Cancer Risk Factors among International Medical and Dental Students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge of oral cancer risk factors among international dental and medical students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU). A cross-sectional study was conducted among international medical and dental students at the LSMU in 2018−2019. In total, 253 students participated, for a response rate of 76.2%. An anonymous self-administered English questionnaire, consisting of 18 items, covered background information (gender, faculty and academic study year), and statements about risk factors for oral cancer and attitudes towards the prevention and treatment of oral cancer. The fifteen statements had the following answer options: yes, no and I don’t know. The statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Overall, a good, fair and poor knowledge of oral risk factors was reported by 15.02%, 56.92% and 28.06% of the participants, respectively. The mean score for knowledge of oral cancer risk factors was 10.01 (SD = 2.56), which was defined as fair knowledge. Cronbach’s alpha was found to be 0.78 (a good value). Bartlett’s sphericity test and the KMO index were adequate (χ2 = 677.563, p < 0.001; KMO = 0.788). This study demonstrates a lack of knowledge of oral cancer risk factors among international medical and dental students.

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.

Use of an audience response system during a continuing education action about oral lesion diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of continuing education action (CEA) participants on the use of an audience response system (ARS). Secondarily, the study assessed the association between the diagnostic abilities of participants and their self-confidence in managing oral lesions METHODS: Oral medicine specialists, dentists, hygienists, and students (n = 193) who attended the 'Maio Vermelho Project', a CEA held in a Southern Brazilian State, answered a diagnostic ability test using the ARS Socrative software during a case discussion section. The test comprised 16 simulated clinical cases based on photos of oral lesions. The questions required classification of the lesion's nature, diagnostic hypothesis, and decision making (manage the case or refer it to a specialist) for each case. A second questionnaire composed of 12 questions was also applied to evaluate satisfaction and perception of the use of ARS Socrative RESULTS: Hygienists displayed lower scores in the diagnostic abilities test, whereas the other groups' performances were quite similar. Dentists and dental students who scored higher on the diagnostic abilities test showed higher self-confidence in the management of benign lesions. All participants stated that the use of technology can improve their learning experience and should be incorporated into the classroom. Moreover, the participants' perception was highly favorable to the use of Socrative in educational activities CONCLUSION: Our findings showed good acceptance of the ARS tool in a CEA environment and suggest an association between performance on the questionnaire and self-confidence in oral lesion management.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Oral Cancer among Dental Graduates-A Web-Based Survey

The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice among new dental graduates across India. A web-based questionnaire was generated as a link through Google Drive which was sent to approximately 250 dental graduates using Whatsapp messenger. A total of 205 complete responses were received and analyzed. Frequency analysis was done using SPSS software version 21. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was identified as most common cancer by 48% of the subjects while the stage of oral cancer in which it is most often diagnosed was only responded correctly by 15.5% as advanced stage. Approximately one fourth (25.4%) of the participants performed dental examination to detect cancer routinely in all patients. Half of the study subjects were confident in detecting oral cancer, still majority (70.6%) of the subjects were interested in attending continuing education course on oral cancer in the future. This study revealed that the majority of the new dental clinicians were not having legitimate knowledge regarding oral cancer. Thus, this lacuna in knowledge and skills can be eliminated by conducting workshops and continuing education programs. This may subsequently aid to improve patient care.

Current Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Health Care Providers in OSCC Awareness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OSCC remain a global health problem. Lack of awareness leads to inadequate watchfulness regarding early signs/symptoms despite the ease of visual oral inspection. What clinicians know and feel, and how they behave on OSCC is crucial to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of screening programs. The aim of this systematic review was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding OSCC among health care providers (HCPs). Therefore, a systematic review was conducted with SPIDER and PICO as major tools. A meta-analysis was structured through common items in two comparison groups of medical and dental practitioners. Descriptive statistics and a Mantel–Haenszel test were used to validate data. Sixty-six studies were selected for systematic review, eight of which are useful for meta-analysis. A statistically significant difference was recorded between dentists and medical practitioners for questions regarding: Alcohol (p < 0.001); Elderly (p < 0.012); Sun exposure (p < 0.0001); Erythroplakia (p < 0.019); Red patch (p < 0.010); White patch (p < 0.020); Tobacco consultation (p < 0.0001); Intraoral examination (p < 0.0001) and Up-to-date knowledge (p < 0.002). Overall, the incidence of OSCC screening is low. Most HCPs feel the need to increase KAP. Data confirmed gaps in KAP, highlighting the need for a more efficient pre- and post-graduation training, necessary to increase competence worldwide.

Oral Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Primary Oral Health Care Dentists in Kuwait

Background: Oral cancer signifies a public health concern of international importance. Early detection of oral cancer can improve the prognosis and the 5-year survival rate. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of oral cancer knowledge, opinion, attitudes and practices among dentists working at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the dentists working at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait. A total of 289 dentists participated in the present study. The questionnaire included 23- questions on oral cancer knowledge, opinion, attitudes and practices. Results: The mean age of the dentists was 35.2 ± 10.9 years. Approximately, all dentists (99.7%) were aware of the major risk factors that were most likely associated with oral cancer. Overall, majority of the participants knew the most common form of oral cancer (80.6%), most common site (80.3%) and the likely lesions associated with oral cancer occurrence (87.9%). A large number of dental practitioners (81%) would routinely refer a patient with a suspicious lesion to a specialist. Nearly one-third (32%) reviewed their patients’ oral cancer risk factors. Approximately two-thirds (62%) assessed the use of tobacco in their practice. Almost, all (92.4%) were interested in attending continuing education courses on oral cancer. Conclusions: Majority of the participants presented good knowledge about various aspects of oral cancer. More continuing education programs on risk factors and diagnosis of oral cancer should be organized to train the dentists. Oral cancer screening should be a routine procedure for the high risk patients at the primary oral health care centers in Kuwait.