Oral pharyngeal cancer prevention and early detection: dentists' opinions and practices
Article Abstract:
Dentists should ask new patients about risk factors for oral cancer. In a survey of 3,200 dentists, almost one-third asked only a few questions about risk behaviors for oral cancer. These risk factors include a family history of cancer, alcohol and tobacco use. Most asked about cancer history and tobacco use, but only half asked about alcohol use. About 80% of the dentists examined all their new patients over the age of 40 for oral cancer.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Survey of U.S. dentists' knowledge and opinions about oral pharyngeal cancer
Article Abstract:
Many dentists are not knowledgeable about oral cancer. In a survey of 3,200 dentists, most knew that the most important risk factors for oral cancer are smoking and alcohol use, especially when combined. However, 25% incorrectly believed that hot or spicy foods were a risk factor. Only half of the dentists knew that oral cancer most often occurs on the floor of the mouth or the side of the tongue. Many dentists did not know exactly what type of lesion to look for, or where to look. Only 4% were completely confidant that they knew all they needed to know about oral cancer.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Assessing physicians' and dentists' oral cancer knowledge, opinions and practices
Article Abstract:
Physicians appear to be less likely than dentists to examine patients thoroughly for oral cancer. Oral cancer causes over 8,000 deaths annually, especially in the aged. A group of 93 physicians and 57 dentists in Maryland were surveyed with respect to their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding oral cancer. Most of the physicians (92.6%) and dentists (89%) were aware of increased cancer risk in individuals over 45. However, less than 20% of all specialists correctly selected pain as the main patient clue to cancer. More dentists (73.1%) felt sure of their oral cancer knowledge than physicians (32.6%). Although 35.2% of physicians reported half or more of their patients as over 65 years old, they typically did not complete mouth cancer examinations. This reluctance seemed directly related to their self-perceived lack of knowledge in the field. In addition, physicians were found to refer unusual mouth sores less often than dentists.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Role of protease inhibitors in preventing recurrent oral candidosis in patients with HIV infection: a prospective case-control study
- Abstracts: The Preterm Prediction Study: association of second-trimester genitourinary chlamydia infection with subsequent spontaneous preterm birth
- Abstracts: Fetal esophageal ligation induces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid in fetal membranes
- Abstracts: Effects of central angiotensin II receptor antagonism on fetal swallowing and cardiovascular activity. Nitric oxide modulates angiotensin II-induced drinking behavior in the near-term ovine fetus
- Abstracts: Highly abnormal maternal inhibin and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels along with severe HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome at 17 weeks' gestation with triploidy