Oral cancer preventive practices of South Carolina dentists and physicians.
The purpose of this study was to assess the South Carolina (SC) dentists' and physicians' oral cancer knowledge and practices and interest in training in oral cancer screening and tobacco cessation counseling. Method used was a cross-sectional survey of SC dentists and selected physician specialties with responses to mailed questionnaires summarized by descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for comparisons. Overall response rates were 58%for dentists and 44% for physicians. Dentists (81%) and 13% of the physicians reported conduct of oral cancer examinations at least half of the time over the past 12 months. Dentists (41%) and 83% of physicians assisted patients to quit smoking. Few dentists (19%) and 53% of physicians were aware of SC tobacco cessation resources. Dentists (40%) and physicians (37%) were interested in receiving training in oral cancer screening, and 36% and 49%, respectively, in training in tobacco cessation counseling. Results support the development of tailored education for SC dentists and physicians to achieve Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Objectives for Oral Cancer.
Reed
Susan G
SG
Department of Craniofacial Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, MSC 507, Charleston, SC 29425-5070, USA. reedsg@musc.edu
Cartmell
Kathleen B
KB
Duffy
Nadia G
NG
Wahlquist
Amy E
AE
Sinha
Debajyoti
D
Hollinger
Amanda
A
Bode
Ashley
A
Alberg
Anthony J
AJ
Day
Terry A
TA
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003815:Dentists; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010820:Physicians; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013022:South Carolina