Oral cancer knowledge and awareness of dentists in Northern Cyprus: A survey study

Abstract

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers have been recognized as a major global health problem and are the sixth most common cancers in the world, with increasing rates of incidence and mortality. Dentists have an important role and responsibility in the early diagnosis of oral cancer. This study aimed to assess knowledge, awareness, and attitudes regarding oral cancer among dentists in North Cyprus. This study was conducted via a questionnaire that was distributed to the dentists in different provinces of Northern Cyprus. The questionnaire comprised 19 main items about the demographic information, dentist’s oral cancer knowledge, attitude, opinions, and practices. The study consisted of 120 dentists and an overall response rate of 81.6% (98) was achieved. Nearly, all respondents were knowledgeable about tobacco use (98%) and previous oral cancer history (98%). The percentage of correct answers to questions concerning knowledge about risk factors of oral cancer ranged from 4.1% (family history of cancer) to 98%. Two-thirds of the participants pointed out correctly that the tongue and floor of the mouth are the most affected sites for oral cancers and leukoplakia and erythroplakia are two lesions most commonly correlated with oral cancer. However, 47% of participants were able to identify squamous cell carcinoma as the most frequent form of oral cancer. In conclusion, dental faculty curriculums and continuing education programs should aim at managing oral cancer need to address not only increase the knowledge and awareness about oral cancers but also include the clinical cases and practices.

Keywords

• Awareness
• knowledge
• oral cancer
• dentist
• North Cyprus

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