Oral Cancer Awareness among Undergraduate Dental Students and Dental Surgeons: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study  

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of oral cancer is rising due to overindulgence in tobacco chewing and smoking. Its detection in early stage makes it more amenable to treatment and helps to reduce associated morbidity. However, most cases are diagnosed at later stage due to lack of awareness about oral cancer and associated risk factors. This study aims to observe the oral cancer awareness among undergraduate dental students and dental surgeons of three dental institutions of Nepal.
 Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three dental institutions of Nepal from January 2019 to May 2019. Convenience sampling method was used. The data was collected from 508 participants through questionnaire adopted from Carter and Ogden. Point estimate at 95 % Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
 Results: Our study showed that 120 (23.6%) of the participants were well informed about the clinical appearance of oral cancer at 95% confidence interval (19.91-27.29). Most of the participants i.e. 457 (89.96%) and 395 (77.75%) were aware that smoking and chewing tobacco were most commonly recognized risk factors. Only 200 (39.37%) participants were aware that non-healing ulcer is considered as the changes associated with oral cancer. Three hundred and forty-four (67.7%) said they have no knowledge about the prevention and detection of oral cancer.
 Conclusions: Our study exhibited the apparent lack of awareness in some aspects of oral cancer and highlights the need of enhancing the undergraduate dental syllabus.

Oral Cancer Awareness of Tertiary Education Students and General Public in Singapore

“…This is consistent with other studies in which fewer dental students recognised the negative effects of alcohol consumption. 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 For example, alcohol was considered a risk factor by 35% to 62% of Malaysian dental students 19 , 42 and only 21% of Nepalese dental students. 42 The previously inconsistent evidence base for alcohol use as an isolated factor in the aetiology of mouth cancer has strengthened in recent years, especially when in conjunction with smoking.…”

“… 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 For example, alcohol was considered a risk factor by 35% to 62% of Malaysian dental students 19 , 42 and only 21% of Nepalese dental students. 42 The previously inconsistent evidence base for alcohol use as an isolated factor in the aetiology of mouth cancer has strengthened in recent years, especially when in conjunction with smoking. 43 Our finding may simply reflect the slow transition of the alcohol risk factor message into undergraduate teaching and highlights the need for reinforcing the dental curriculum.…”

Knowledge, awareness, and attitude among dental students regarding oral cancer in Saudi Arabia

“…My study is similar to Poudel et al . [ 26 ] who exhibited the apparent lack of awareness of dental students in some aspects of oral cancer and highlights the need of enhancing the undergraduate dental syllabus. Daily oral screening of all patients in dental clinic can reduce mortality in oral cancer through early detection and this point must be very clear in curriculums of dentistry in either private or government colleges and should generalized for all junior and senior dental students during study dentistry and their practice after graduation.…”

Oral cancer and precancer in Oral Pathology and Medicine curricula of Mexican dental schools

“…Different studies performed worldwide (Burzynski et al, 2002; Cerero‐Lapiedra et al, 2015; Hassona et al, 2017; Keser & Pekiner, 2019; Ozdemir‐Ozenen et al, 2022; Poudel et al, 2020; Seoane et al, 2006; Uti & Fashina, 2006) have demonstrated the need to improve cancer education activities in undergraduate dental students. Diverse surveys showed the insufficient capacity to recognize OPMD signs and to identify OC risk factors, suggesting the need for more clinical experience and knowledge (Jaber et al, 1997; Seoane et al, 2006).…”