ABSTRACT
A
questionnaire survey was mailed to a selected random sample of
849/1693 working general dentists achieving an overall response
rate of 72.2%. Most respondents (91.8%) reported that tobacco
use was the principal cause of oral cancer, but fewer (67.9%)
considered alcohol consumption of major risk. Persistent oral
ulceration was regarded by 61.7% as the most common lesion with
a malignant potential. The lower lip and ventrolateral tongue
were most frequently reported high-risk oral cancer sites,
however, the retromolar trigone and oropharynx were amongst the
least acknowledged. Although 86% of respondents examined
routinely the oral mucosa for signs of oral cancer in patients
aged 18 years and over, the gingiva was most frequent site
examined, whereas fewer reported on examining the ventrolateral
tongue, retromolar trigone or oropharynx. Many respondents
(66.9%) would refer oral suspicious cases for specialist care,
but 17.8% would take a biopsy and, a disheartening 18.1% would
wait and see. This survey revealed lack of knowledge, and
inadequate practices among general dentists in Jordan with
respect to oral cancer prevention. |