Primary care clinicians' knowledge of oral cancer: a study of dentists and doctors in the North East of England.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the knowledge of oral cancer and related issues of general dental and general medical practitioners (GDPs and GMPs).


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 420 primary care clinicians, half to dentists and half to doctors. Responses to the questionnaire were analysed using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).


RESULTS
The response rate was 68.1% for GDPs and 71.9% for GMPs. Dental practitioners were significantly more likely to have diagnosed cases of oral cancer than medical practitioners (OR = 2.68, 95% CI 1.6,4.4). Important differences arose between the groups in terms of risk factor knowledge and clinical examination.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that whilst the knowledge level of both groups is generally good, there are some discrepancies. These relate mainly to risk factor knowledge and clinical examination techniques.
Greenwood
M
M
The Dental School, Newcastle upon Tyne. beryl.leggatt@ncl.ac.uk
Lowry
R J
RJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002983:Clinical Competence; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010808:Physical Examination; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires