title: Perceptions of healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding their training in oral cancer prevention, and early detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) have a major responsibility in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer (OC). Accordingly, adequate training in this area will positively enhance healthcare practitioners' accountability towards their patients. The present study was conducted in Saudi Arabia with the objective of assessing HCPs' opinion vis-a-vis OC prevention and early detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was distributed among HCPs in six different settings in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totals of 41.2 per cent and 63.4 per cent of HCPs thought that they are adequately trained to perform an OC examination and to palpate the lymph nodes, respectively. Similarly, 33.2 per cent and 25.8 per cent thought that they are adequately trained to provide tobacco and alcohol cessation education for their patients, respectively. Of HCPs, 45.1 per cent thought they had a low level of knowledge and training in OC prevention and the early detection thereof, 53.6 per cent agreed that their knowledge about OC was not current, and 82 per cent were comfortable with referring suspicious lesions to specialists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that the current knowledge and training in OC prevention and early detection among HCPs in Saudi Arabia is not up to the desired level. Accordingly, it is suggested that OC prevention and early detection should be given the necessary attention when establishing new continuous education strategies in Saudi Arabia.
authors: College of Dentistry, King Faisal University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. ljaber@kfu.edu.sa
authors: Louay
authors: L
authors: Jaber
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Shaban
authors: Deema
authors: D
authors: Hariri
authors: Stephanus
authors: S
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D016540:Smoking Cessation