Mohammed Jafer1,2, Rik Crutzen2, Abdalla Ibrahim2, Ibtisam Moafa1,2, Haitham Zaylaee3, Mohammad Ajeely3, Bart van den Borne2, Alessio Zanza4, Luca Testarelli4, Shankargouda Patil5. 1. Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. 3. Faculty of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia. 4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy. 5. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate dental patients' behavior, thoughts, opinions and needs for oral cancer information, and dentists' behavior regarding prevention and examination of oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for forty dental patients of both sexes. Based on the qualitative analysis, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among the participants. Data were analyzed for 315 participants to quantify their thoughts, needs, behavior and behavior expected from dentists regarding oral cancer. Frequency, percentages and cumulative percentages were calculated. RESULTS: This study reveals that patients' oral cancer knowledge levels were adequate, but most reported that their dentist had never examined them for oral cancer. Additionally, the participants had never performed self-examinations for oral cancer, nor were they aware of the possibility of doing so. Participants showed a preference for being examined and educated by their dentist about oral cancer and believed it would help early detection. CONCLUSIONS: The study participants are aware of oral cancer and its risk factors. The practice of oral cancer examinations and patient education of its risk factors by dental practitioners is limited. Patients feel a need for more attention to be paid to oral cancer examinations, preventive measures and targeted information on oral cancer risk factors.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate dental patients' behavior, thoughts, opinions and needs for oral cancer information, and dentists' behavior regarding prevention and examination of oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for forty dental patients of both sexes. Based on the qualitative analysis, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among the participants. Data were analyzed for 315 participants to quantify their thoughts, needs, behavior and behavior expected from dentists regarding oral cancer. Frequency, percentages and cumulative percentages were calculated. RESULTS: This study reveals that patients' oral cancer knowledge levels were adequate, but most reported that their dentist had never examined them for oral cancer. Additionally, the participants had never performed self-examinations for oral cancer, nor were they aware of the possibility of doing so. Participants showed a preference for being examined and educated by their dentist about oral cancer and believed it would help early detection. CONCLUSIONS: The study participants are aware of oral cancer and its risk factors. The practice of oral cancer examinations and patient education of its risk factors by dental practitioners is limited. Patients feel a need for more attention to be paid to oral cancer examinations, preventive measures and targeted information on oral cancer risk factors.
Authors: Ibtisam Moafa; Mohammed Jafer; Bart Van Den Borne; Ciska Hoving Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-10 Impact factor: 4.614