Dental hygienists and oral cancer prevention: knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in Italy

Abstract

This study explored knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic procedures for oral cancer, attitudes and behavior among dental hygienists in Italy. A random sample of 500 dental hygienists received by mail a questionnaire focusing on demographics and practice characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding oral cancer assessment practices. Almost all dental hygienists correctly indicated tobacco usage and having a prior oral cancer lesion as risk factors. Although 88.8% knew that the tongue is one of the two most common sites of oral cancer, only 13.5% identified the floor of the mouth. Less than half (42.8%) recognized that an early oral lesion usually is a small, painless and red area and only 4.2% knew the examination procedures of the tongue. Results of the multiple logistic regression showed that those dental hygienists who worked a higher number of hours and treated a lower number of patients in a week were more likely to indicate tobacco and alcohol use as risk factors for oral cancer. Higher number of years in practice, scientific journals and associations as sources of information about oral cancer, and knowledge that ventral lateral border of tongue is the most common site for oral cancer, significantly predicted compliance with oral cancer examination. Dental hygienists' sex, age, and years in practice were associated with a positive attitude towards oral cancer prevention. Further educational interventions in order to early detect and prevent oral cancer are strongly needed.