Awareness of General Dental Practitioners about Oral Screening and Biopsy Procedures in Udaipur, India.
OBJECTIVE
Oral cancer presents with high mortality rates, and the likelihood of survival is remarkably better when detected early. The present study aimed to assess the awareness of general dental practitioners (GDPs) about oral screening and biopsy procedures in Udaipur, India.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 83 GDPs were surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of several mandatory and optional questions. The data were analysed and frequency distribution was performed.


RESULTS
Most of the GDPs adequately performed complete oral cavity examinations and were aware of suspicious oral lesions, most common sites and risk factors for oral pre-cancer/cancer, but did not inquire about patients' tobacco/ alcohol consumption habits. Half of them referred lesions requiring biopsy to a specialist/higher centre rather than performing biopsies themselves, even after recognising the importance of biopsy as a diagnostic tool due to concerns of inadequate experience and instruments required. Varied results regarding selection of the appropriate site for biopsy and preservation of biopsied specimens were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the GDPs were adequately aware of oral screening and biopsy procedures but felt reluctant to perform them, which suggests that dental education programmes are needed for GDPs in oral pre-cancer/cancer detection as well as screening and diagnostic procedures.
Chitra
C
Anandani
Rashmi
R
Metgud
Gayathri
G
Ramesh
Karanprakash
K
Singh
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001706:Biopsy / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods; D064424:Tobacco Use