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An assessment of oral cancer curricula in dental hygiene programmes: implications for cancer control
Author(s) -
Thacker KK,
Kaste LM,
Homsi KD,
LeHew CW
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of dental hygiene
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.674
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1601-5037
pISSN - 1601-5029
DOI - 10.1111/idh.12150
Subject(s) - medicine , curriculum , cancer prevention , oral hygiene , family medicine , competence (human resources) , context (archaeology) , graduation (instrument) , cancer , dentistry , psychology , biology , social psychology , pedagogy , paleontology , geometry , mathematics
Purpose To assess oral cancer prevention and early detection curricula in I llinois associate‐degree dental hygiene programmes and highlight global health applications. Methods An email invitation was sent to each Illinois associate‐degree granting dental hygiene programme's oral cancer contact to participate in a survey via a S urvey M onkey™ link to a 21‐item questionnaire. Questions elicited background information on each programme and inquired about curriculum and methods used for teaching oral cancer prevention and early detection. Results Eight of the 12 (67%) programmes responded. Three (37.5%) reported having a specific oral cancer curriculum. Five (62.5%) require students to perform examinations for signs and symptoms of oral cancer at each clinic visit. Variations exist across the programmes in the number of patients each student sees annually and the number of oral cancer examinations each student performs before graduation. Seven programmes (87.5%) conduct early detection screening in community settings. All programmes included risk assessment associated with tobacco. All other risk factors measured were treated inconsistently. Conclusion Significant differences in training and experience were reported across I llinois dental hygiene programmes. Training is neither standardized nor uniformly comprehensive. Students' preparation for delivering prevention and early detection services to their patients could be strengthened to ensure competence including reflection of risk factors and behaviours in a global context. Regular review of curricular guidelines and programme content would help dental hygienists meet the expectations of the C rete D eclaration on O ral C ancer P revention.