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Opinions about oral cancer prevention and early detection among dentists practising along the Texas–Mexico border
Author(s) -
Alonge OK,
Narendran S
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1601-0825.2003.01831.x
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , curriculum , continuing education , population , cancer , dental education , dentistry , environmental health , medical education , psychology , pedagogy
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess dentists’ opinions about oral cancer (OC) prevention and early detection. METHODS: Data were collected by a self‐administered mail questionnaire sent to all 398 registered dentists practising along the Texas–Mexico border. RESULTS: The effective response rate to the survey was 40%. While 90% of respondents agreed that oral cancer examinations (OCE) should be provided annually for patients 40 years of age and older, only 59% of respondents believed their OC knowledge was current. While 99% agreed that dentists were qualified to perform OCE, only 54 and 68% respectively, agreed that dental hygienists and physicians were similarly qualified. Dentists who rated their undergraduate OC training favorably (OR=2.68, 1.23–5.81, P =0.011), had attended their last oral cancer continuing education (OCCE) course within the past 5 years (OR=2.46, 1.25–4.86, P =0.009), and those who performed OCE on all patients 40 years and older (OR=2.64, 1.32–5.26, P =0.005), were more likely to agree their OC knowledge was current. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents expressed diverse opinions about OC prevention and early detection. Positive opinion on currency of OC knowledge was associated with performance of OCE. Results indicate a need for OCCE targeting the study population as well as increased emphasis on OC curriculum in dental schools.