Oral Cancer; An Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness Between Undergraduate Dental Students, Dentists and The General Public. Bakr, M1, George, R1, Khan, U2, Skerman, E1.

1 School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Gold Coast Campus Griffith University QLD 4215, Australia. 2 Dalby Dental Clinic, Dalby, Western Darling Downs, QLD 4405, Australia.

Introduction /Aim: Oral cancer is a disease with well-known modifiable risk factors, with smoking and excessive alcohol consumption the principal risk factors in the western world. Despite this knowledge, mortality rates associated with oral cancer have remained alarmingly constant over the last ten years within Australia. As the majority of oral cancer lesions are detected in the advanced stages, the long term prognosis for patients is poor. This reiterates the importance of early detection of oral cancer lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge regarding oral cancer held by undergraduate dental students, dentists and members of the general public in relation to the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with the disease. Concurrently, we aspired to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of oral cancer lesions and highlight areas where knowledge is insufficient or incorrect.

Methods: The evaluation of oral cancer knowledge was conducted within Griffith University - Australia, with two hundred and fifty self-report questionnaires distributed amongst undergraduate dental students, dentists and dental patients as they interacted within the School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

Results: Findings from this study have indicated that the knowledge about oral cancer, its signs, symptoms and risk factors is limited, with the exception of smoking and persistent ulceration, amongst the dental personnel and dental patients.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need to raise awareness and increase knowledge pertaining to oral cancer not only in the general community but also amongst the people who represent the future of dentistry.