Method: The study was conducted in three phases: a systematic search of the relevant literature, an expert review and consensus panel (9 members), and two focus groups (FG) involving PR general dentists. FG participants were purposefully selected to obtain a range of professional viewpoints; the participants were 8 females and 8 males. One FG was comprised of 7 University of PR School of Dental Medicine (UPRSDM) faculty (3 with private practices) and the other FG of 9 private practitioners. FG’s were conducted in Spanish at the UPRSDM by two experienced qualitative researchers. Standard qualitative analytic methodologies were used.
Result: Small group, hands-on training was considered essential to increase the quantity and quality of OCS in dental offices. The easy on-line availability of audio-visual material, such as “how-to” instructional videos and resources presenting the physical appearance of premalignant lesions and early through late-stage cancers was encouraged. Participants favored an integrated, multidisciplinary oral cancer course that includes oral cancer statistics and the clinical presentation of relevant oral lesions. OCS training requirements for licensure and re-licensure, improving dentist-patient communication skills in the area of OCS, and the establishment of an oral mucosal lesion referral center for specialist care and education were also viewed favorably.
Conclusion: General dentists in our FGs believed the quality and quantity of OCS in Puerto Rico can be increased through the application of specific educational and training modalities. Their recommendations were consistent with previous reports and recommendations of the expert consensus panel, suggesting a broader generalizability to these findings.