Projects
011 – OHPs’ knowledge and beliefs about the potential causes of oral cancer
- Chief Investigator A: A/Prof Rodrigo Mariño
- Chief Investigator B: Prof Mike Morgan
- Chief Investigator C: Prof Michael McCullough
- Chief Investigator D: Dr Denise Bailey
- Chief Investigator E: Dr Satoru Haresaku
- Chief Investigator F: Roisin McGrath
- Associate Investigator: Dr Ross Musolino
- Support: Dentsply
About
Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the most common risk factors for oral cancer. Oral health practitioners should understand that a thorough oral screening examination for malignant and potentially malignant lesions is a necessary part of their routine clinical assessment for all patients.
Aims
The project aimed to assess oral health practitioners’ (OHPs):
- Ability to distinguish between risk and non-risk factors for oral cancer
- Oral cancer screening practices
- Level of confidence in providing oral cancer-health related promotion advice
Results
The project found:
- There is a need for additional education and professional training for oral health professionals
- Further training in oral cancer screening practice and patient advice-giving will be an important step in improving prevention and early detection of oral cancers
