Assessing oral cancer knowledge and awareness among Malaysian dental and medical students

Background: Oral cancer is a foremost health dilemma in several regions of the world. General dental practitioners and general medical practitioners play a major role in recognition of oral mucosal changes that may lead to malignancy. Their knowledge in oral cancer itself and the risk factors associated with the disease need to be sufficient. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate awareness and knowledge of undergraduate dental and medical students in early detection and prevention of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: Dental and medical students were invited to participate by answering a questionnaire on their habits of the oral mucosa examination and history taking, knowledge on risk factors and changes related with oral cancer, referral of patients as well as their desire to receive further information on oral cancer. Chi-square test was carried out to analyze knowledge and awareness between undergraduate dental and medical students. Results: Undergraduate dental students were more likely to examine oral mucosa (96.7%) and advice risk habits to patients (93.9%) compared to medical students (60.6% and 79.8% respectively). Significantly more dental students considered smoking (84.4%), betel quid chewing (76.1%), and alcohol drinking (35%) as risk factors. Clinical changes of oral cancer were better identified by dental students (leukoplakia - 52.8%, erythroplakia - 45%, and non-healing ulcer - 40%) compared to medical students (leukoplakia - 12.9%, erythroplakia - 4.6%, and non-healing ulcer - 10.3%). Both dental and medicals students reported the desire to receive further information in relation to oral cancer. Conclusion: Dental students have better knowledge and awareness in prevention and early detection of oral cancer compared to medical students.