Diagnostic approach used by US general dental practitioners following discovery of oral lesions suspicious for malignancy/premalignancy: findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

OBJECTIVE: Oral cancer examinations seek to clinically identify early oral cancers and discover premalignancies prior to their progression to invasive cancer. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and August 2017 to explore and quantify the diagnostic approach used by United States (US) general dental practitioners following discovery of an oral lesion suspicious for malignancy/premalignancy. US licensed general dental practitioners who were clinically active members of the US National Dental Practice-Based Research Network were eligible to participate. Data for analysis were obtained via two questionnaires. RESULTS: The majority of participants were males, practiced full-time, had a suburban primary practice, were born during the 1950s, and graduated dental school in the 1980s or 2000s. After identifying an oral lesion suspicious for premalignancy/malignancy, the next action of most general dental practitioner respondents (65.4%) was to refer the patient for consultation/biopsy. Most general dental practitioners (87.2%) referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon; 22% of general dental practitioners reported personally biopsying suspicious lesions. There was a relatively weak association between completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry or General Practice Residency and subsequently personally performing biopsies on patients with oral lesions suspicious for malignancy/premalignancy (OR 1.33, P = .06). Most written referrals took place electronically and often included information, including lesion location (87.0%), lesion sign/symptoms (85.3%), lesion history (83.9%), radiographs (59.3%), medical history (50.6%), dental history (48.8%), and photographs (42.4%). When a referral biopsy was performed, referring clinicians were most frequently informed of the findings via a written report (96.7%, when positive for malignancy/premalignancy, and 95.4% when negative). CONCLUSION: A snapshot is presented of current actions taken by US general dental practitioners following the discovery of oral abnormalities suspicious for premalignancy/malignancy.

Dental care access for children in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate access to dental care for children in the United States. METHODS: The study population included children in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Using multiple data sources, dental care access was estimated at the community level by matching dental care supply and demand using mathematical modeling accounting for access constraints. Outcome measures included percent-met demand, travel distance, and percentage of underserved and unserved communities. Multiple scenarios to improve Medicaid/CHIP participation of dentists were evaluated. RESULTS: Medicaid-insured and CHIP-insured children exhibited lower access compared to those privately insured. The percent-met demand was lower than 50% for Medicaid-insured children and CHIP-insured children for 42 and 34 states, respectively. Percent-met demand was higher than 50% for private-insured children except for Texas and West Virginia. Increasing Medicaid/CHIP participation of dentists resulted in improving access for public-insured children. At 100% Medicaid/CHIP participation, all states exhibited different degrees of percent-met demand increase for publicly insured children, from 7% to 46%. The percent-met demand across all children ranged in 23.8%-82.9% under 70% participation rate versus 22%-83% under 100% participation rate. No single participation rate improved access for all children uniformly across all states. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that dental care access was lower for children with public insurance than those with private access across all states, although states responded differently to changes in Medicaid/CHIP participation. Increasing access for children with public insurance would reduce disparities, but overall children's access to dental care would be better improved by expanding the oral health workforce.

Dental patients' communication preferences for learning about HPV-related topics.

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has the highest incidence of any cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral health providers are urged to support the use of the HPV vaccine, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of OPC in 2020. This study evaluated the preferences of dental patients regarding 11 modalities for learning about HPV-related topics from their oral health providers. An online survey was administered to US adults aged 18 to 45 years (n = 285) to assess their communication modality preferences, prior experience discussing HPV with oral health providers, and demographic characteristics. Multiple items were combined to obtain preference scores for each modality. Preference scores were compared using 2 × 3 mixed analysis of variance. Age, sex, income, and HPV vaccination status were assessed as potential confounders. One-on-one discussions were the most preferred modality for learning about HPV-related topics; however, the preference scores differed based on whether the patient had prior HPV-related discussions with oral health providers (partial η2 = 0.054). Patients who had prior discussions showed a weaker preference for one-on-one discussions than did patients who had not had prior discussions. Oral health providers are called on to promote HPV vaccination, which will require increasing communication on this subject with patients. To assure greater acceptance of their recommendations, providers will need to match their communication styles to those desired by their patients. As part of a comprehensive HPV prevention strategy that includes administration of the vaccine, oral health providers should be educated on how to confidently discuss HPV-related issues with their patients.

American Board of Dental Public Health diplomate survey, 2021: Competency domains and practice.

OBJECTIVE: To describe current Dental Public Health diplomates and list the competency domains that diplomates considered either essential or optional elements of their practice. METHODS: The American Board of Dental Public Health administered an electronic survey to active and life member diplomates during September 2021. The survey included 101 items in three sections: (1) Education and Work Experience; (2) Dental Public Health Tasks; and (3) Demographics. The Dental Public Health Tasks section asked individuals how essential work-related tasks were to their current practice. Descriptive analyses were conducted using SAS. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 82.6% (157 eligible of 190 returned). Most respondents were women, 35 to 54 years of age, and either non-Hispanic white or non-Hispanic Asian. Twice as many had DDS or DMD degrees than BDS degrees. The vast majority completed a Dental Public Health residency and received masters level training from an accredited program. About three-fourths worked in the United States and held a U.S. license. More than 37% reported a second doctoral degree and 70% worked in academia. Responses to questions about tasks closely aligned with working in academia and less so with positions related to advocacy, regulation, and program evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Current diplomates are concentrated in academia. If this trend continues, it may be necessary to restructure the competencies, so training and skills acquisition remain timely and relevant. The specialty may also need to encourage future generations to consider non-academic positions so Dental Public Health remains an impactful component of the public health care system.

The impact of dentists' availability in delivering dental care in Florida Elementary Schools.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the dentists' availability to deliver preventive dental care to children in schools and the impact of school-based programs on access. METHODS: The study population included Florida elementary-school children, differentiated by dental insurance (Medicaid, CHIP, private, or none). We considered the implementation of school-based programs using optimization modeling to (re)allocate the dentists' caseload to schools to meet demand for preventive care under resource constraints. We considered multiple settings for school-based program implementation: (i) school prioritization; and (ii) dentists' participation in public insurance. Statistical inference was used to identify communities to improve access and reduce disparities. RESULTS: School-based programs reduced unmet demand (3%-12%), being more efficient if prioritizing schools in communities targeted to improve access. The access improvement varied by insurance status and geography. Uninsured urban children benefited most from school-based programs, with 15%-75% unmet need reduction. The percentage of urban communities targeted to improve access decreased by 12% against no-school program. Such percentage remained large for suburban (15%-100%) and rural (50%-100%) communities. Disparity in access for public-insured vs. private-insured children persisted under school-based programs (32%-84% identified communities). CONCLUSION: School-based programs improve dental care access; the improvement was however different by insurance status, with uninsured children benefiting the most. Accounting to the dentists' availability in prioritizing schools resulted in effective resource allocation to school-based programs. Access disparities between public and private-insured children did not improve; school-based programs shifted resources from public-insured to uninsured. School-based programs are effective in addressing access barriers to those children experiencing them most.

Foreign-trained dentists' reflections on access to care after participating in a community-based dental education curriculum.

Many people suffer poor oral health due to dentists not providing care to them. The number of foreign-trained dentists in the US is increasing, yet little is known about their involvement in providing care to underserved populations. Dental education programs use community-based dental education (CBDE) to expose dental students to access to care issues, and encourage them to provide care to underserved populations upon graduation. The aim of this study was to assess foreign-trained dentists' attitudes about access to care issues after completing a CBDE course at a dental school in the Midwest. Fifty-two dentists participated in the CBDE program from 2018 to 2019, as part of an advanced standing curriculum, and completed guided, reflective essays. Forty-seven dentists agreed to have their essays anonymously coded for research. Four researchers reviewed the essays independently, developed a coding scheme, and recoded to agreement. The main themes dentists mentioned were the affect of the CBDE program on enhancing their clinical skills, fostering an awareness of healthcare system inadequacies, as well as an awareness of how specific social determinants limit access to care, and helping to encourage a sense of personal and professional responsibility to address access to care issues. This study highlights the value of CBDE on helping future dental providers learn about and reflect on access to care issues. It also provides insight into foreign-trained dentists' attitudes about access to care issues, and supports their participation in CBDE programs to foster their contributions in addressing access to care issues in the US.

Oral Cancer Prevalence, Mortality, and Costs in Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Claims Data.

BACKGROUND: This study compared prevalence, incidence, mortality rates, treatment costs, and risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OC/OPC) between two large United States adult cohorts in 2012-2019. METHODS: Medicaid and commercial claims data came from the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Database. Logistic regression analyses estimated incidence and risk factors for OC/OPC. Mortality was calculated by merging deceased individuals' files with those of the existing cancer cohort. Summing costs of outpatient and inpatient services determined costs. RESULTS: Prevalence of OC/OPC in Medicaid enrollees decreased each year (129.8 cases per 100,000 enrollees in 2012 to 88.5 in 2019); commercial enrollees showed a lower, more stable prevalence (64.7 per 100,000 in 2012 and 2019). Incidence trended downward in both cohorts, with higher incidence in the Medicaid (51.4-37.6 cases per 100,000) than the commercial cohort (31.9-31.0 per 100,000). Mortality rates decreased for Medicaid enrollees during 2012-2014 but increased in the commercial cohort. OC/OPC treatment costs were higher for commercial enrollees by $8.6 million during 2016-2019. OC/OPC incidence was higher among adults who were older, male, and white; used tobacco or alcohol; or had prior human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome diagnosis and lower among those who had seen a dentist the prior year. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid enrollees experienced higher OC/OPC incidence, prevalence, and mortality compared with commercially insured adults. Having seen a dentist within the prior year was associated with a lower risk of OC/OPC diagnosis. IMPACT: Expanding Medicaid dental benefits may allow OC/OPC to be diagnosed at earlier stages through regular dental visits.

The 2021 report on oral health in America: Directions for the future of dental public health and the oral health care system.

In the two decades between Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General and Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges much good happened but intractable challenges persist. Inequity in oral health status, utilization, and access to care continue to negatively affect the health and economic wellbeing of Americans and their families, local, state, and federal health care systems, and American society overall. To move the nation forward, we argue that: more emphasis is needed in prevention; access to care must be improved to mitigate inequity; newer understandings of oral disease must be leveraged in the service of health and health care; the value that oral health brings to economic wellbeing must be elucidated; better policy choices must be made in all of the above; and more effective oral health care leaders in driving policy change must be trained.

Geographic Distribution of Pediatric Dentists and Community Characteristics of Their Locations in Florida.

Purpose: To describe the geographic distribution of pediatric dentists (PDs) in Florida and the sociodemographic characteristics of communities in which they are located compared with communities without a PD.
Methods: The ratio of PDs to children for each county in Florida and the distribution of PDs in Florida counties at the census tract (CT) level were calculated. Each CT was categorized as having or not having PDs to examine the geographic distribution of PDs, and the sociodemographic differences between CTs with and without a PD were tested by using t-tests. PDs' participation in Medicaid and acceptance of new patients were also investigated.
Results: Of the 67 counties in Florida, 31 had no PD. There were 4,181,677 children younger than 18 years served by 388 PDs, for a statewide ratio of 9.2 PDs per 100,000 population (range 0 to 34.9). Median household income, family income, and education were higher in CTs with PDs, and poverty level, unemployment rate, and percentage of African American population were higher in CTs with fewer PDs. Although 49 percent of PDs accepted Medicaid, only 32 percent accepted new patients.
Conclusion: There are regional and sociodemographic disparities in the distribution of PDs in Florida.

Dental students' comfort discussing nutrition and obesity prevention with parents and caregivers.

PURPOSE: Dentists can address childhood obesity by educating patients about mediating factors, such as nutrition and dietary habits, facilitating behavioral interventions, and participating in interprofessional collaborations. Dental schools are encouraged to prepare future dentists to address childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to assess dental students' attitudes, comfort, and perceived barriers discussing nutrition and obesity prevention with parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5, after a one-time service-learning experience in a pediatric primary care setting to promote oral health. METHODS: Following conversations with parents and caregivers, students completed an 11-item survey via Qualtrics. RESULTS: Of 144 second-year dental students that participated in the service-learning experience over 2 years, 101 participated in the survey for a response rate of 70.1%. Most students agreed that dentists' roles include discussing nutrition (98.0%) and obesity prevention (83.2%). During the service-learning experience, 78.2 percent of students discussed nutrition, and 5.0% discussed obesity prevention, with 3.0% and 22.8% of students reporting some level of discomfort with each topic, respectively. The most reported barriers for discussing both nutrition and obesity prevention were concern for "appearing judgmental" and "fear of offending clients." Mean comfort scores among students who reported barriers of "appearing judgmental" (p = < 0.0001) and "fear of offending clients" (p = 0.017) for nutrition discussions, and a "lack of parental acceptance of guidance" as a barrier for discussing obesity prevention (p = 0.016), suggest that those barriers were associated with less comfort. CONCLUSION: Dental students' perceived barriers to discussing nutrition and obesity prevention with parents and caregivers may negatively influence dental students' comfort.

Hospital Inpatient Admissions of Children and Adolescents for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in Florida.

Purpose: Barriers to regular dental care may lead to children being hospitalized for dental problems. The purpose of this study was to examine trends related to pediatric hospital inpatient admissions for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) in Florida between 2006 and 2016. Methods: Data were from the Florida Department of Health inpatient admission database and included zero- to 19-year-old patients. The authors calculated age-specific and age-adjusted rates of inpatient admission for NTDCs and the proportion of all hospitalizations they comprise. Results: There were 6,217 inpatient admissions for NTDCs of zero- to 19-year-olds in Florida between 2006 and 2016. The median charge was $21,654 per admission, and total charges were $196,220,470. Medicaid was the primary payer. Admission rates increased in all age groups, and age-adjusted rates increased by 62 percent during that period. The two most common NTDC diagnoses were periapical abscess without sinus tract and cellulitis of the mouth. Conclusions: The rate and cost for hospital inpatient admissions to treat nontraumatic dental conditions increased significantly for children and adolescents in Florida during the past decade. Establishment of a dental home at an early age and removing barriers to receiving regular and periodic dental care may result in more effective and efficient use of health care resources and better patient outcomes.

Silver Diamine Fluoride Helps Prevent Emergency Visits in Children with Early Childhood Caries.

Purpose: Early childhood caries remains a worldwide disease and often requires treatment under sedation or general anesthesia, with long waitlists. Silver diamine fluoride has been shown to arrest caries lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application reduces emergency visits by waitlisted patients with early childhood caries (ECC). Methods: Waitlisted patients aged zero to 71 months with ECC who were treated with SDF were enrolled at the University of Florida's NCEF Pediatric Dental Center; their cumulative incidence of dental emergencies were compared with children who were waitlisted during the 16 months preceding the introduction of SDF. Data from patient records on demographics, dental visits, SDF placement, and caries arrest were abstracted. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression modeling were performed. Results: Participants included 97 patients treated with SDF and 216 not treated with SDF. The cumulative incidence of dental emergencies was approximately 80 percent lower in the SDF group than in the comparison group (4.1 percent versus 17.6 percent; adjusted odds ratio equals 0.18; 95 percent confidence interval equals 0.06 to 0.54); 81 percent of SDF-treated surfaces were arrested at a follow-up visit. Conclusions: Silver diamine fluoride helps reduce emergency visits for children with early childhood caries while on treatment waitlists and confirms the effectiveness of SDF for caries arrest in primary teeth.

Cues used by dentists in the early detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant lesions: findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of clinical cues on risk assessment of cancer-associated mucosal abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN: We differentiated lesions with a low risk from those with a high risk for premalignancy or malignancy by using 4 cues: (1) color, (2) location, (3) induration, and (4) pain on exploration. Combinations of color and location were presented through 8 photographs, with induration and pain status variably presented in the standardized history and physical findings. This created 16 clinical scenarios (vignettes) that were permutations of the 4 cues. Three questions assessed the extent to which each cue was used in obtaining a clinical impression as to whether a lesion was benign, premalignant, or malignant. RESULTS: Completed vignette questionnaires were obtained from 130 of 228 invited dentists, (two-thirds males; 79% white; mean age 52 years; average weekly hours of practice 33 hours). Only 40% of the responding dentists had statistically significant decision policies to assign a clinical diagnosis of a lesion as benign, premalignant, or malignant. Lesion location and color were the 2 dominant cues. As a cue, induration was used as a cue by more of the respondents in determining a clinical diagnosis of malignancy, and pain was infrequently used as a cue. CONCLUSIONS: Many dentists do not to have a decision strategy for the clinical diagnosis and risk stratification of oral potentially malignant lesions.

Duration of Cigarette Smoking Is a Stronger Risk Factor Than Number of Cigarettes Smoked per Day for Head and Neck Cancer, and Quitting Dramatically Lowers the Risk.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Joint effects of intensity and duration of cigarette smoking on the risk of head and neck cancer: a bivariate spline model approach. Di Credico G, Edefonti V, Polesel J et al. Oral Oncol 2019;94:47-57. SOURCE OF FUNDING: The 33 case-control studies whose data were pooled for this project were supported by a large number of governmental and foundation sources in the United States, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Spain, as well as the World Cancer Research Fund, International Union Against Cancer, and the European Commission. No funding source was reported for the current analysis. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Secondary analysis of pooled data from 33 case-control studies.

Self-reported factors associated with dental care utilization among Hispanic migrant farmworkers in South Florida.

OBJECTIVES: To explore patterns of dental care utilization among adult Hispanic migrant farmworkers utilizing the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services. METHODS: In 2010, 278 Hispanic migrant workers participated in the oral health assessment. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to assess the effects of multiple factors on having a past-year dental visit. Predisposing variables included age, education, and knowledge toward preventing tooth decay. Enabling factors included medical insurance, place for medical care, and social support. Need measures included oral health problems and treatment. RESULTS: Only 20.5 percent of Hispanic migrant farmworkers reported a past-year dental visit. More than one-half (52.5 percent) needed oral health treatment and nearly two-thirds (61.2 percent) stated that they perceived their mouth to be in poor condition. The final model indicated that those who reported preventing tooth decay by brushing and flossing, brushed their teeth once a day, and stated a good condition of their mouth were more likely to have had a past-year dental visit. CONCLUSIONS: Most Hispanic migrant farmworkers in south Florida have not had a past year dental visit. Similar to other ethnic minorities in the United States, migrant farmworkers experience poor oral health outcomes and have inadequate access to health-care services.

The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer and rate of human papillomavirus vaccination coverage in Florida, 2011 through 2015.

OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to compare the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) from 2011 through 2015 and the rate of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination from 2015 through 2017 in the United States overall and in Florida. METHODS: Using SEER*Stat software (Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute), the authors calculated age-specific OPC incidence rates for various age groups and age-adjusted rates by sex and race to analyze Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and National Program of Cancer Registries data. The authors used Joinpoint software (Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute) to model time trends of OPC incidence. They estimated the rate of HPV vaccination among teenagers in Florida and explored the main reasons parents gave for not getting their children vaccinated by means of analyzing data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen. The authors used the χ2 test to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and HPV vaccination and to compare the rate of HPV vaccination in the United States overall with that in Florida. RESULTS: The incidence of OPC was higher and the rate of HPV vaccination was lower in Florida than in the United States overall. The OPC incidence rate was highest in those who were aged 50 through 70 years, non-Hispanic white, and male. The rate of being up-to-date on HPV vaccination in Florida was higher among female teenagers than male teenagers but did not differ significantly by other sociodemographic characteristics. The top reason for not getting an HPV vaccination in Florida was that it had not been recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found relatively higher and increasing incidence rate of OPC in Florida and lower rate of HPV vaccination among adolescents in Florida than in the nation overall. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The trends illustrated may stimulate policy changes to increase HPV vaccination for children and enhance the understanding of its benefits.

Hospital use for non-traumatic dental conditions among older adults in Florida.

OBJECTIVE: Older Americans are at risk of many oral diseases and conditions, but limited access to dental care may lead to the use of hospital emergency departments (EDs) or inpatient admissions. This study examined the use of hospitals for non-traumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) among persons aged ≥65 years in the Florida. METHODS: We analysed hospital use for NTDCs in Florida in 2018 from health department data sets. We calculated frequencies and rates of ED visits and hospital inpatient admissions, overall and by county, age, sex, race/ethnicity and principal payer. We also examined the source of hospital admission, primary diagnoses and charges. RESULTS: In 2018, there were 4894 ED visits and 747 inpatient admissions for NTDCs among persons aged ≥65 years in Florida. The rate for ED visits was 112.30 per 100 000 population and for hospital inpatient admissions was 17.14; rates varied widely among counties. Medicare was the most common primary payer. Referrals from EDs accounted for 76.2% of inpatient admissions for NTDCs by older adults. Total charges were $21.4 million for ED visits and $40.2 million for inpatient admissions. The most common principal diagnosis for ED visits for NTDCs was "periapical abscess without sinus tract" (K04.7; 26.2%) and for inpatient admissions was "inflammatory conditions of the jaw" (M27.2; 19.1%). Of the 747 inpatient admissions, two people died. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital use for NTDCs in Florida among persons aged ≥65 years is a clinical and financial challenge. Public coverage for basic adult dental services may lead to more effective use of funds and better health outcomes.

Dental Status and Treatment Needs of Children in Foster Care.

Purpose: This study compared the dental status and treatment needs of children in foster care with other children enrolled in Florida Medicaid. Methods: The study was a retrospective dental records review of patients who were associated with a foster care agency and an age-matched group of other Medicaid recipients in 2016. Results: We abstracted the electronic dental records of 548 two- to 18-year-olds in foster care and an age-matched group of 548 Medicaid-enrolled children not in foster care. Compared with other Medicaid-enrolled children, those in foster care were more likely to have experienced dental caries overall (75.7 percent versus 58.8 percent; P<.0001), in the permanent dentition (63.6 percent versus 45.1 percent; P<.0001), and in the primary dentition (32.7 percent versus 18.8 percent; P<.0001). Children in foster care had 1.6 times greater prevalence of pulpitis, 1.4 times as many root canal treatments, 5.8 times more diagnoses of severe gingivitis, 3.5 times more diagnoses of periodontitis, and 1.3 times more treatment-planned extractions. Conclusions: Children in foster care had more dental needs, higher caries prevalence, and received more dental care than other Medicaid-enrolled children. Poor oral health status is a public health concern for children in the foster care system. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(3):206-10) Received December 18, 2018 | Last Revision March 12, 2019 | Accepted March 14, 2019.

Oral cancer examinations and lesion discovery as reported by U.S. general dentists: Findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

General dentists (GDs) have the opportunity to examine their patients for oral premalignancy/malignancy. We estimated the annualized per dentist number of oral lesions suspicious for premalignancy/malignancy discovered by United States (U.S.) general dentists and the annualized per dentist number of histologically-confirmed cancers subsequently diagnosed. Eligible participants were licensed, clinically-active U.S. GDs who were members of the U.S. National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. An a priori sample size of 900 was determined; 2000 GDs were invited to participate; 1,073 completed the study. Self-reported, cross-sectional data were obtained via an online questionnaire during 4/12/2017-8/31/2017 and analyzed. The reported numbers of suspicious oral lesions and histologically-confirmed oral cancer cases diagnosed over the previous six months were quantified. Potential outcome predictors were evaluated as covariates in multivariable analyses. Crude and adjusted statistics were produced by regressing each outcome on each independent variable while assuming a Poisson distribution, log link and utilizing robust standard errors. Eighty-seven percent of dentists reported discovering 1+ lesion suspicious for oral premalignancy/malignancy during the preceding six months. The mean number of suspicious lesions/dentist/year was 9.5; adjusted mean: 9.6. Fifteen percent of participants reported discovering 1+ lesion confirmed as cancer during the same period, 213 confirmed cancer cases/6 months or 426/year. Crude and adjusted mean numbers of histologically-confirmed oral cancers were both 0.4 cancers/dentist/year. Our findings suggest that many U.S. general dentists are actively identifying oral lesions suspicious for premalignancy/malignancy, thereby aiding in the discovery of oral malignancies and representing an important component in the frontline against cancer.