HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 136, No 5, 602-610. © 2005 American Dental Association

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by PATTON, L. L. Articles by STRAUSS, R. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by PATTON, L. L. Articles by STRAUSS, R. P. Related Collections Infection Control

JADA Continuing Education

Implications for diagnosis and referral

Background. Dentists play a critical role in the early detection of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC). The authors administered a survey that assessed the level of knowledge among dentists regarding risk factors and diagnostic concepts.

Methods. In 2002, the authors mailed a 38-item, pretested survey to a random sample of 1,115 licensed dentists practicing in North Carolina. Three-level (low, medium, high) composite index scores for knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic concepts were created using previously developed scales. The authors formulated multivariable models for risk factor and diagnostic knowledge indexes.

Results. Of the 584 respondents, only 181 (31 percent) had consistent medium-to-high levels of knowledge on both highly correlated indexes. Dentists who had higher risk factor and diagnostic knowledge scores were significantly (P < .05) more likely to have heard of one or more diagnostic aids (odds ratio [OR], 2.7), to have graduated from dental school within the previous 20 years (OR, 1.8) and to have performed biopsies or referred five or more patients with suspicious lesions per year (OR, 1.7 and 1.5, respectively) than were less-knowledgeable respondents.

Conclusions. More education is needed in dental schools, postgraduate programs and continuing education programs to enhance dental professionals’ knowledge of OPC risk factors and diagnostic concepts. Such programs should include information about adjunctive diagnostic aids.

Practice Implications. Greater knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic concepts may result in more frequent patient referrals, biopsy procedures or both, thus aiding in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with OPC.

Key Words: Oral and pharyngeal cancer; risk factors; mouth neoplasm; early detection

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Applebaum, T. N. Ruhlen, F. R. Kronenberg, C. Hayes, and E. S. Peters Oral Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices: A Survey of Dentists and Primary Care Physicians in Massachusetts J Am Dent Assoc, April 1, 2009; 140(4): 461 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E.E. Vazquez-Mayoral, L. Sanchez-Perez, Y. Olguin-Barreto, and A.E. Acosta-Gio Mexican Dental School Deans' Opinions and Practices Regarding Oral Cancer, 2007 J Dent Educ., December 1, 2008; 72(12): 1481 - 1487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Silverman Jr Controlling oral and pharyngeal cancer: Can dental professionals make a difference? J Am Dent Assoc, May 1, 2005; 136(5): 576 - 577. [Full Text] [PDF]