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Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Oral Cancer in Iran

Journal of Cancer Education volume 28, pages 335–341 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Dentists are usually the first group who can examine patients for oral cancer and the early diagnosis highly depends on their knowledge. In this study, we aim to survey the Iranian dentists’ knowledge, attitude, and behaviors regarding oral cancer. A valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire was designed and sent to 150 dentists. Responses to the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Just one fifth of the dentists reported to perform oral cancer examination for all of their patients in age of 40 and above and about 34 % of them were knowledgeable. They mostly claimed that the lack of knowledge is the main barriers to the provision of routine oral cancer examinations. The opinion of dentists about the effectiveness of continuing education courses supports the development of these courses on oral cancer. Besides, more emphasis should be placed on oral cancer prevention in dental schools.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Isfahan University of Medical Science as this paper is based on the results of a project supported—financially and administratively—by the Vice Chancellery of research in this university.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Pathology, Dental School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

    Sayed Mohammad Razavi

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

    Behzad Zolfaghari

  3. Dental School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

    Mehrdad Foroohandeh & Mostafa Emami Doost

  4. Department of Community Oral Health, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Bahareh Tahani

Authors
  1. Sayed Mohammad Razavi
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  2. Behzad Zolfaghari
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  3. Mehrdad Foroohandeh
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  4. Mostafa Emami Doost
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  5. Bahareh Tahani
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Correspondence to Bahareh Tahani.

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Razavi, S.M., Zolfaghari, B., Foroohandeh, M. et al. Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Oral Cancer in Iran. J Canc Educ 28, 335–341 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0460-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0460-6

Keyword

  • Oral cancer
  • Knowledge
  • Attitude
  • Practice
  • Iran
  • Dentists