title: Oral Cancer Early Detection--a Pressing Need for Continuing Education in Jordan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify deficiencies in the knowledge of general medical (GMPs) and dental practitioners (GDPs) regarding early detection of oral cancer, to compare differences between subgroups, and to identify educational needs for continuing education courses on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  165 GDPs and 165 GMPs were directly interviewed to assess their knowledge about oral cancer using a pre-tested survey. Knowledge scores were generated from correct responses of participants to factual questions about oral cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few participants (15.2% of GDPs and 12.8% of GMPs) reported that they attended any continuing education courses on oral cancer during their professional career. Most participants (81.6% of GDPs and 86.3% of GMPs) admitted that their knowledge about oral cancer was not up to date and that they would need to attend continuing education courses on oral cancer if available. A few significant differences were identified between groups regarding knowledge about risk factors, clinical presentations and diagnostic techniques but the overall knowledge scores showed no significant difference between GMPs and GDPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study identified several deficiencies in the knowledge of GMPs and GDPs regarding risk factors, clinical presentations, and diagnostic techniques of oral cancer. Interventions to correct these defects through properly designed continuing education courses are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan E-mail : yazan@ju.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hassona
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sawair
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Baqain
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maayta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*