A primary care study of dentists' and doctors' knowledge of oral cancer

Key Points

• This study compares basic knowledge of oral cancer of general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners working in primary care.

• Knowledge levels are important since either group of practitioners may see such patients at first presentation.

• Dental practitioners were significantly more likely to name alcohol as a risk factor than medical practitioners. Dental practitioners showed a preference for examining areas related to the tooth bearing or potentially denture bearing tissues rather than some of the more high risk sites eg floor of mouth.

• Knowledge levels were generally good but there were some important differences mainly relating to risk factor knowledge and clinical examination techniques.

Abstract

Objective To compare the knowledge of oral cancer and related issues of general dental and general medical practitioners (GDPs and GMPs).

Design A questionnaire was sent to 420 primary care clinicians, half to dentists and half to doctors. Responses to the questionnaire were analysed using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results The response rate was 68.1% for GDPs and 71.9% for GMPs. Dental practitioners were significantly more likely to have diagnosed cases of oral cancer than medical practitioners (OR = 2.68, 95% CI 1.6, 4.4). Important differences arose between the groups in terms of risk factor knowledge and clinical examination.

Conclusion This study demonstrates that whilst the knowledge level of both groups is generally good, there are some discrepancies. These relate mainly to risk factor knowledge and clinical examination techniques.

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