Resumo

ALVARENGA, Maria Luísa et al. Evaluation of the knowledge of dentists regarding oral cancer. RFO UPF [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.1, pp. 31-35. ISSN 1413-4012.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the dentists' knowledge from Lavras-MG about oral cancer. We used a previously validated questionnaire with 37 questions divided into subjects such as: the participants' general characteristics, their knowledge on clinical features and the risk factors of oral cancer as well as their understanding of the disease-management practice. The analysis of the questionnaires allowed to attribute a concept to the professional (A - great, B - Good, C - fair and D - not enough). The results showed that from the 230 dentists, 74 answered the questionnaire in their offices. The great majority was female aging from 30 to 50 years old. Approximately, 30% reported not to be aware that carcinoma squamous is the most common oral cancer and 36.5% reported not to be confident enough to achieve the diagnosis. Almost 76% of the respondents asserted that their patients are not informed enough on the preventive aspects and diagnosis of the disease. After the evaluation, 6.8% of the dentists fit in concept A; 32.4% in B; 28.4% in C and 32.4% in concept D. there was no significant statistical correlation (qui-square test, p < 0.05) between the concept and variables sex, age, time of clinical practice, type of graduation institution and knowledge on oral cancer. Then it is concluded that dentists need to be aware on the disease aspects and the importance of training with relation to its prevention and early diagnosis.

Palavras-chave : Carcinoma. Squamous cell; Diagnosis. Oral; Mouth neoplasmas.