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.