Expertise Regarding Dental Management of Oral Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy Among Western Australian Dentists

Abstract

Objectives:Dental care forms an important part of the multidisciplinary management of oral cancer patients. The aim of this study was to examine actual and self-perceived knowledge and clinical expertise regarding dental management of oral cancer patients receiving radiation therapy among Western Australian general dentists.Materials and Methods:An invitation to participate in a web-based questionnaire was emailed to 1095 dentists registered with the Australian Dental Association (ADA), WA branch. To assess dentists’ knowledge and expertise, actual and perceived knowledge was investigated. Information regarding type of practice, practice location, year of graduation and number of oral cancer patients treated in the preceding 12 months was also obtained.Results:One hundred and ninety one dentists responded to the survey. General dentists who took part in the study appeared to possess some knowledge regarding dental management of oral cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. The majority of responders however identified deficiencies in their knowledge and willingness to participate in continuing education programs.Conclusion:In view of the rising incidence of oral cancer in Western Australia, efforts should be made to provide more clinically relevant training to dentists in this area.

To Evaluate the Effectiveness of Awareness Program on Self Care Management among Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

“…Using knowledge questionnaires and physical tests data was obtained. The findings showed that the understanding among patients with oral cancer of managing the side effects of radiotherapy was poor, some patients had inappropriate experience of managing the side effects of radiation therapy [10]. Few of the related studies were reviewed [11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

The need for oral assessment and referral practices tool for palliative patients in Brunei Darussalam: A cross‐sectional study

“…Similar cross‐sectional studies also found that 75.8% of Indian nurses and 56.2% of nurses in Riyadh did not receive training in oral care of palliative patients (Al Rababah et al., 2018; Pai & Ongole, 2015). An observational survey among dentists in Australia also found that only 42.3% of them felt adequately trained to manage oral care for patients with cancer, although an overwhelming majority of responders (92.9%) indicated that they were interested in continuing education courses on the subject (Frydrych, Slack‐Smith, Park, & Smith, 2012).…”

Diş hekimlerinin kanser hastalarının ağız sağlığı hakkındaki bilgilerinin değerlendirilmesi

“…Literatürde yer alan benzer çalışmalardan 8,13,15,16,18,[20][21][22][23] sorular değerlendirilerek diş hekimlerinin kanser hastalarının ağız sağlığı hakkındaki bilgi düzeyleri ile ilgili yeni bir anket formu oluşturulmuştur.…”

“…Literatürde, diş hekimlerinin ağız kanserleri hakkındaki bilgi düzeyini değerlendiren birçok çalışma [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] olmasına karşın kanser hastalarının ağız sağlığı hakkındaki bilgi düzeyini ölçen çalışma sayısı oldukça azdır. [15][16][17][18][19] TARTIŞMA 2020 yılında dünya genelinde 75 yaşından önce kanser olma ihtimalinin yaklaşık %20 olduğu tespit edilmiştir.…”