title: Comparative study of knowledge about oral cancer among undergraduate dental students.
abstract: To evaluate and compare the knowledge of dental undergraduate students about oral cancer.
  The students were divided into two groups according to semester attended in the undergraduate course: Group A, the first semester; and Group B, seventh semester. They were asked to answer a questionnaire about epidemiology, risk factors, clinical aspects, therapeutic solutions and oral self-examination. For statistical analysis, the Fisher's exact test, the Cochran's G test and Kendall's concordance test were used, with significance level set at 0.05.
  Regarding the prevalent sex, only 8.0% of Group A and 56.0% of Group B judged males as the frequent affected by the disease (p=0.0006). In terms of age, 84.0% of the Group B and 44.0% of the Group A estimated that most cases were diagnosed over 40 years (p=0.0072). Smoking was identified as the major risk factor for 64.0% and 91.6% of Groups A and B, respectively (p=0.0110). On issues related to sex, ethnicity, age, risk factors, self-examination, treatment, professional responsible for treatment and profile of an individual with the disease, the seventh-semester showed significantly higher correct answer percentages than first-semester undergraduates.
  There was significant correlation between the right and wrong answers given by first and seventh semester students, making necessary a specific approach directed to their lack of knowledge.
  Avaliar e comparar o conhecimento de acadêmicos de odontologia sobre câncer bucal.
  Os acadêmicos foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o semestre cursado na graduação: Grupo A, primeiro semestre; e Grupo B: sétimo semestre. Eles foram convidados a responderem um questionário referente a epidemiologia, fatores de risco, aspectos clínicos, soluções terapêuticas e autoexame bucal. Para a análise estatística dos resultados, foram utilizados o teste exato de Fisher, o teste G de Cochran e o teste de concordância de Kendall, com nível de significância estabelecido em 0,05.
  Somente 8,0% do Grupo A e 56,0% do Grupo B julgaram o sexo masculino como aquele frequentemente acometido pela lesão (p=0,0006). Em relação à faixa etária, 84,0% do Grupo B e 44,0% do Grupo A estimaram que a maioria dos casos era diagnosticada acima dos 40 anos (p=0,0072). O tabagismo foi apontado como principal fator de risco por 64,0% e 91,6% dos alunos dos Grupos A e B, respectivamente (p=0,0110). Nas questões referentes a sexo, etnia, faixa etária, fatores de risco, autoexame, tratamento, profissional responsável pelo tratamento e perfil de um indivíduo portador da lesão, os alunos do sétimo semestre apresentaram percentagens de respostas corretas significantemente maiores que as dos discentes do primeiro semestre.
  Houve significativa concordância entre os erros e acertos dos discentes do primeiro e sétimo semestres, sendo necessária uma abordagem específica direcionada à deficiência por eles apresentadas.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Samara Ribeiro da
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Juliano
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Neil Ferreira
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Novo
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weinfeld
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms; D012737:Sex Factors; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires