Assessing oral cancer knowledge among dental students in South Carolina

• Published in: The Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) Vol. 136; no. 3; p. 373
• Main Authors: Cannick, Gabrielle F, Horowitz, Alice M, Drury, Thomas F, Reed, Susan G, Day, Terry A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - psychology; Education, Dental, Continuing; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Medical Oncology - education; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis; Mouth Neoplasms - psychology; Precancerous Conditions - diagnosis; Precancerous Conditions - psychology; Risk Factors; South Carolina; Students, Dental - psychology; Students, Dental - statistics & numerical data; South Carolina
• ISSN: 0002-8177
• DOI: 10.14219/jada.archive.2005.0180

Because South Carolina has the fourth highest mortality rate for oral cancer among the 50 states, dental students in the state must be knowledgeable about prevention and early detection of the disease. In 2002, the authors surveyed 163 students using a written questionnaire (response rate, 79.1 percent). The questionnaire included questions about oral cancer risk and nonrisk factors as well as oral cancer diagnostic signs, symptoms and examination procedures. The authors performed univariate and bivariate analyses (alpha < or = .025). At least 93 percent of the students replied that tobacco, alcohol and previous oral cancer lesions were risk factors. One hundred six students (65 percent) knew that the most likely site for oral cancer is the ventrolateral border of the tongue. Students differed in their overall knowledge of risk factors (P = .002), nonrisk factors (P < .001) and diagnostic procedures (P < .001). Although students' level of knowledge increased with academic year, educators and policy-makers need to place greater emphasis on oral cancer education and training in dental schools. Morbidity and mortality are likely to be reduced if dentists know how to prevent and detect oral cancer.