Oral cancer knowledge and practices of dentists along the Texas-Mexico border.
BACKGROUND
The study assessed the knowledge and clinical practices of Texas-Mexico border dentists in oral cancer prevention and early detection.


METHODS
A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all 398 dentists registered to practice along the Texas-Mexico border.


RESULTS
Inadequacies and ambivalence in respondents' oral cancer knowledge and practices were evident. Performance of oral cancer examinations was associated with positive perception of undergraduate oral cancer training (P =.02). Most respondents (81%) were interested in oral cancer continuing education (CE).


CONCLUSIONS
More emphasis on oral cancer training for dental students as well as provision of oral cancer CE to respondents are recommended.
Alonge
Olusegun K
OK
Department of Dental Public Health, Dental Branch, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston 77030, USA. Olusegun.K.Alonge@uth.tmc.edu
Narendran
Sena
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003815:Dentists / Q000592:standards*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D013781:Texas