Maryland veterans' knowledge of risk factors for and signs of oral cancers and their use of dental services.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate outpatient veteran'í knowledge about risk factors for and signs of oral cancers, and their utilization of dental services.


METHODS
Patients receiving primary health care services were surveyed during August 1997.


METHODS
Primary health care services at three medical centres within the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS).


METHODS
A total of 135 outpatient veterans were interviewed.


METHODS
Questionnaire administered by trained interviewers.


METHODS
Fifteen percent of the sample were eligible for dental care at the VA, while over 40% of those veterans participating in the study were unaware of their VA eligibility for dental services. Fifty six percent of the total sample received dental services from a private dentist, while 13% reported they had no provider of dental care. Of those not eligible for dental care at the VA (n = 115), the majority (67%) received dental care from a private dentist. Current use of tobacco and alcohol was reported by 27% of the sample. Nonsmokers were more likely to visit the dentist in the previous year than smokers (OR = 2.39, 95% C.I. 1.11,5.12). Although 84% correctly identified tobacco use as a risk factor, only 39% correctly identified regular alcohol use as a risk factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Veterans at higher risk for oral cancers were less likely to have visited the dentist in the previous year, and, overall, were ill informed and misinformed about these cancers.
Canto
M T
MT
Perry Point, Maryland, USA. cmayte@erols.com
Horowitz
A M
AM
Goodman
H S
HS
Watson
M R
MR
Cohen
L A
LA
Fedele
D J
DJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data