title: Early detection of oral cancer: dentists' opinions and practices before and after educational interventions in Northern-Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The question whether educational programmes improve dentists' knowledge of oral cancer is still an unexplored subject. The aim of this study was to assess dentists' opinions and practices concerning oral cancer using a standardised survey after educational intervention over one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following a baseline survey which was mailed to every dentist in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (n = 2280), the results were analysed to produce a multifaceted educational programme. After educational intervention, the same survey was redistributed and the results before and after intervention were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results are based on 394 surveys. Following intervention, 62% of responders, compared to 49% at baseline, described their overall knowledge as current. The percentage of dentists routinely investigating older patients at the recall appointment increased from 28% at baseline to 37% if the responders had attended a continuing education course during the period of intervention. Similar improvements were observed at initial appointment for older patients, with results improving from 33% to 38% for responders who attended a further educational course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that a 1-year educational intervention with a multifaceted approach was successful. They underline that continuing education programmes improve the competence of dentists performing examination of the oral cavity. Therefore, regular participation in continuing educational courses is recommended.
authors: Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. Dr. Dr. Jörg Wiltfang), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 26, 24105 Kiel, Germany. Electronic address: hertrampf@mkg.uni-kiel.de.
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Hertrampf
authors: Hans-Jürgen
authors: HJ
authors: Wenz
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Koller
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Grund
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Wiltfang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011364:Professional Practice; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012649:Self Concept; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Continuing dental education; Dentists; Opinion; Oral cancer; Practice; Survey