Dentists' opinions and practices in oral cancer prevention and early detection in Northern Germany

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate opinions and practices, related to oral cancer prevention and early detection, of dentists in Northern Germany, with focus on risk assessment and routine oral examination by means of a standardized questionnaire. In November 2007, a self-administered validated questionnaire was mailed to all dentists in Schleswig-Holstein (n=2233), followed by two reminders, after 3 and 6 weeks. The survey was composed of 41 items and was divided into sections on several aspects of oral cancer. For this study, self-reported information about the assessment of the patients' health history and the dentists' activities with regard to the initial and recall appointments of younger compared with older patients were evaluated. The dentists' evaluation of the health history showed a clear focus on tobacco in contrast to alcohol. Dentists' opinions and practices in routine oral examination showed interesting discrepancies. Sixty-five percent, 94%, of the dentists agreed that this examination for younger (18-39 years) and older patients (≥ 40 years) should be provided annually. But, only 25%, 30%, of the dentists always examined their younger and older patients at the initial appointment. Approximately 20%, less than 30% always investigated younger and older patients at the recall appointment. The results emphasized a discrepancy in the dentists' assessments of the health history. Dentists' opinions about the routine examination differed considerably from the actual integration in the daily work. These findings underline the need for the implementation of targeted educational programmes with focus on primary and secondary prevention.