Evaluation of Turkish dentists' knowledge about oral cancer and oral mucosal lesions.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Oral cancer, including malignancies of the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, cheek mucosa, gums, palate, and oropharynx, is life-threatening. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for long-term survival. Dentists frequently encounter oral cancers due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and experience of dentists in Turkey regarding oral cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 361 participants were included in the study, and survey questions were sent via email. The survey consisted of 16 questions measuring demographic data and knowledge about oral cancerous lesions. Participants were grouped based on their specialization and knowledge level, and differences in responses among groups were examined. RESULTS: Only 21.3% of the participants felt they had sufficient knowledge and experience about oral cancerous lesions. Overall, the correct answer rates indicated a moderate level of knowledge and experience. When grouped by specialization, oral surgeons had the highest accuracy in their responses (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dentists are the professional group that most frequently encounters clinically oral cancerous lesions. Therefore, it is critically important for them to be knowledgeable and experienced to reduce morbidity and mortality through early diagnosis. This study evaluated the knowledge status of dentists in Turkey regarding oral cancer and highlighted the need for improved education.