Oral Cancer Awareness among Hong Kong Dentists and Dental Students

Objectives: This study investigated the level of oral cancer awareness among dentists and dental students in Hong Kong. Methods: Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to 205 years 2-5 dental students studying in the Faculty of Dentistry, HKU and mailed to 682 registered dental practitioners obtained through systematic random sampling. The questionnaire assessed the level of knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and diagnostic procedures, practices related to oral cancer diagnosis and perceived sufficiency in knowledge of oral cancer risk. Comparisons were made between dentists and students, dentists of different years of practice and specialties, and students of different years of study. Results: 248 (36.3%) dentists and 193 (94.1%) students responded. The dentists’ mean knowledge scores for risk factors and diagnostic procedures were 6.4 (out of 9) and 12.8 (out of 18) respectively. Meanwhile, the students scored 6.5 and 11.1 respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean risk factor knowledge score (p=0.656) but a higher mean diagnostic knowledge score (p<0.001) in dentists when compared to students. Significantly lower mean risk factor knowledge scores were found in dentists with over 30 years of practice (p<0.001) and year 2 students (p<0.001) while significantly lower mean diagnostic procedures knowledge score was found in year 2 students (p<0.001). Majority of the dentists (80.6%) and students (91.7%) routinely examined patients’ oral mucosa, 58.0% of dentists and 45.6% of students advised patients about the risk factors for oral cancer. Only 34.6% of dentists and 14.0% students perceived themselves having sufficient knowledge on oral cancer, and the level of self-perceived sufficiency increased with the number of years of practice and study (p<0.05). Conclusion: The level of oral cancer awareness among dentists and students are satisfactory. However, efforts to further increase the knowledge on oral cancer in Hong Kong is needed.