Knowledge of oral cancer and preventive attitudes of Spanish dentists. Primary effects of a pilot educational intervention

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the knowledge and preventive attitudes that Spanish dentists have towards oral cancer, beforeand after an educational intervention.Methods: A quasi-experimental study based on a nationwide intervention. All Spanish dentists were offered anon-site course on oral cancer. An individual questionnaire was administered before and after attending the course.The main outcome measures were systematic examination of the oral cavity, promotion of healthy habits andknowledge of clinical aspects.Results: 440 GDPs entered the study. Age 40.7±10.7, range 21-74. Professional experience 13.9±8.9 years, range0-45. Of those who participated in the study, 53.1% had never attended a course on oral cancer, 72.4% stated thatthey perform a systematic examination of the oral mucosa, 88.2% provided systematic counselling on tobaccocessation, and 54.7% reported that they did the same for alcohol. In addition, 32.3% advised patients to eat fruitsand vegetables high in antioxidants.Professional experience was significantly associated with oral mucosa systematic examination (t= 2.9; p=0.003),advice on alcohol consumption (t=5.0; p=0.000), and on fruit and vegetable intake (t=5.1; p<0.001). None of thesepractices were specifically associated with knowledge on oral cancer. All areas of knowledge examined showedstatistically significant improvement after the educational intervention.Conclusions: The intervention appears to have improved the GDP´s knowledge, confirming the importance of thisnational campaign (AU)

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