Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders among Dental Patients: a Pilot Study in Jordan

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence, types, and risk factors of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) among a group of Arab Jordanian dental patients, and to evaluate their awareness and attitudes toward early diagnosis and treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,041 patients attending a University Hospital for dental care were examined for the presence of OPMDs. Histopathological examination was performed on all cases clinically diagnosed and patients were directly interviewed to evaluate their knowledge and attitudes toward early detection and treatment of oral cancer. Results: The prevalence of OPMDs overall was 2.8%. Lichen planus/lichenoid lesions were the most common lesions (1.8%) followed by leukoplakias (0.48%), chronic hyperplastic candidiosis (0.38%), and erythroplakia (0.096%). Smoking, alcohol, and age (>40 years) were the main identifiable risk factors. Patients with OPMDs displayed a general lack of awareness and negative attitudes towards early diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: OPMDs among Arab dental patients are relatively uncommon and awareness about oral cancer among Jordanian dental patients is low. Interventions to improve public knowledge about oral cancer and attitudes toward early diagnosis and treatment are urgently indicated.

Oral Cancer Early Detection - a Pressing Need for Continuing Education in Jordan

“…Some oral cancers are preceded by noticeable mucosal changes known as OPMDs (Hassona et al, 2014;Scully, 2014). Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are the best known OPMDs, although other diseases such as oral lichenoid lesions, chronic hyperplastic candidiosis, and submucous fibrosis might also transform to cancer.…”

“…Early-stage oral cancers are often asymptomatic and present clinically as a white or red patch, ulcer, or lump. Emphasis, therefore, has been placed on opportunistic screening of the oral mucosa by medical and dental practitioners as a proactive preventative measure which Y Hassona 1 *, F Sawair 1 , Z Baqain 1 , W Maayta 1 , A Shahin 1 , C Scully 2 may lead to reduced morbidity and mortality from oral cancer (Warnakulasuriya et al, 1991;Hassona et al, 2014;. In addition, patients with oral lesions are often first seen by general practitioners, both medical and dental.…”

Prevalence and clinical features of pigmented oral lesions

“…The literature is replete with studies about prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in different populations from both developed and developing countries . However, only a few studies specifically examined the relative frequency of pigmented oral lesions .…”

Frequency and histoclinic pathology of malignant and potentially malignant disorders of oral cavity in Chile

“…Regarding age, the average OPMD presentation in our study was 55 years. The literature reports that these lesions occur mainly after 40 years 18 . For example leukoplakia, the average age found in our study was 55 years old, agreeing with previously reported data, which fluctuates between 40 and 60 years 14 .…”