O Awojobi1, J T Newton1, S E Scott1. 1. Unit of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Division of Population and Patient Health, King's College London Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RW.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Up to half of oral cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced lesions. One route to early diagnosis could involve dentists raising awareness of oral cancer through discussions with patients, emphasising prompt help-seeking. This study explores opinions and practices of dentists regarding discussing oral cancer with patients including views on barriers and facilitators. DESIGN: Qualitative in-depth interviews.Setting Dentists working in general dental practices in the United Kingdom were interviewed in 2013. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In-depth interviews with dentists (n = 16) were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data was analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Dentists recognised the importance of raising awareness but identified several barriers to discussions including system factors (for example, time constraints and a lack of financial incentive), patient factors (for example, fear of invoking undue anxiety) and dentist factors (for example, a lack of sufficient knowledge, training and self-confidence). Facilitators included developing practice standards and good dentist-patient relationships. CONCLUSION: Identified barriers may hold back efforts to raise awareness of oral cancer and could be targeted in future initiatives to encourage early detection.
OBJECTIVES: Up to half of oral cancerpatients are diagnosed with advanced lesions. One route to early diagnosis could involve dentists raising awareness of oral cancer through discussions with patients, emphasising prompt help-seeking. This study explores opinions and practices of dentists regarding discussing oral cancer with patients including views on barriers and facilitators. DESIGN: Qualitative in-depth interviews.Setting Dentists working in general dental practices in the United Kingdom were interviewed in 2013. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In-depth interviews with dentists (n = 16) were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data was analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Dentists recognised the importance of raising awareness but identified several barriers to discussions including system factors (for example, time constraints and a lack of financial incentive), patient factors (for example, fear of invoking undue anxiety) and dentist factors (for example, a lack of sufficient knowledge, training and self-confidence). Facilitators included developing practice standards and good dentist-patient relationships. CONCLUSION: Identified barriers may hold back efforts to raise awareness of oral cancer and could be targeted in future initiatives to encourage early detection.
Authors: J E Clarkson; S Turner; J M Grimshaw; C R Ramsay; M Johnston; A Scott; D Bonetti; C J Tilley; G Maclennan; R Ibbetson; L M D Macpherson; N B Pitts Journal: J Dent Res Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 6.116