Abstract
BackgroundThe ability of health care professionals to perform oral cancer examination depends partly on their knowledge of the disease and its risk factors. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge of final year students, interns and faculty members regarding oral cancer and its risk factors.Material and MethodsA 35-item questionnaire about knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors was distributed among participants from Jazan University’s Dental School. A minimum score of 18 was the cut-off point for an acceptable total score of oral cancer knowledge [OCTS]. Descriptive statistics described the relations between demographics variables and knowledge levels of participants. The differences between OCTS, diagnostic-clinical examination knowledge [DCK] and supportive knowledge [SK] and sex and occupation were analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVAs respectively.ResultsA total of 72 students, 68 interns and 88 faculty members completed the questionnaires (N = 228); with an average age of 23.8 ± 0.9 years, 25.1 ± 1.5 years and 40.6 ± 9.1 years with 55.1% males. OCTS was 20.2 ± 3.6 out of 35. No significant difference between OCTS and participants’ sex was found (t (203) = 1.342, p = .181, 95% CI for difference -.302 ــ 1.589). No significant differences in OCTS between students, interns and faculty members (F (2, 225) = 2.116, p = .123). A significant difference in SK between final year students, interns, and faculty members was founded (F (2, 194) = 5.62, p = .004).ConclusionsKnowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors among Jazan Dental School’s final year students, interns and faculty members is acceptable. However, due to the high rate of oral cancer in Jazan, emphasizing knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors in the curriculum of Jazan Dental School is required. Key words:Oral cancer, risk factors, knowledge, dental education, curriculum, dental students, dentists.
Highlights
Oral cancer (OC) is a debilitating disease with serious impacts on individuals, families and societies
Bivariate analysis did not reveal any significant differences for sex and occupation in the present study with regards to diagnosis and clinical knowledge (DCK)
There was no significant difference in OCTS average between Saudi male and female participants (male M = 20.1, SD = 2.81 and female M = 19.7, SD = 3.17; t (140.9) = 1.736, p = .406, 95% CI for difference -.567 ــ1.394, d = 0. 134), nor were there any significant differences in diagnostic-clinical examination knowledge (DCK) or supportive knowledge (SK)
Summary
Oral cancer (OC) is a debilitating disease with serious impacts on individuals, families and societies. The objective of the present study was to investigate the knowledge level of final year student and dentists working at both, male and female, branches of the School of Dentistry; Jazan University, regarding OC and its risk factors. The same analyses were carried out for Saudi participants, whom are the majority of final year students and interns and whom will mostly work in the Jazan region of Saudi after their graduation To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the knowledge of health care professionals in the field of oral cancer in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge of final year students, interns and faculty members regarding oral cancer and its risk factors. Conclusions: Knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors among Jazan Dental School’s final year students, interns and faculty members is acceptable. Due to the high rate of oral cancer in Jazan, emphasizing knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors in the curriculum of Jazan Dental School is required
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
