scholarly journals Awareness of Undergraduate Dental and Medical Students Toward Oral Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 30s-30s
Author(s):  
A. Shrestha

Background: Oral cancer is a common malignancy in Nepal and many other southeast Asian countries, which is predisposed by a variety of potentially malignant oral diseases. Considering the importance of knowledge of health professionals and their role in early diagnosis and reduction of cancer statistics. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the awareness of undergraduate dental and medical students toward oral cancer. Methods: The study involved undergraduate dental and medical students of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from Carter and Ogden was distributed among undergraduate medical and dental students. Results: 143 dental and 311 medical students responded to the questionnaire. Significantly more dental (80.4%) than medical students (36.0%) were found to routinely examine the oral mucosa. Tobacco smoking and chewing were the most commonly recognized risk factors by both medical and dental students. Most of the students found ulcer as the most common change associated with oral cancer. Only 30 out of the total students felt very well informed about oral cancer. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated a lack of awareness in some aspects of oral cancer among medical and dental students which highlights the need to frame new teaching methodologies. Similar studies from other health institutions would provide an insight regarding the same and could be a base for formulating a uniform curriculum in the implementation of knowledge regarding oral cancer.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Sushil Subedi ◽  
Bijayata Shrestha

Background: Oral Cancer (OCA) is a common malignancy in South East Asia and the burden of the disease is increasing. OCA is usually preceded by Potentially Malignant Oral Disorder (PMOD). The early detection of these diseases may limit the high mortality and morbidity. The objectives of this study were to assess the awareness of burden, associated risk fac­tors, early detection and prognosis of OCA and OPMD among final year medical and dental students.. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among final year Medical and Dental undergraduate students of Chitwan Medical College, Nepal in April 2017 using a pre tested self-administered questionnaires. All the final year students present at their respective classes (Dental= 50 and Medical=75 students) responded to the questionnaires after giving informed consent. Data entered in SPPS 20 software was analyzed using Pearson Chi Square test and Fisher exact test. Results: Dental students had better awareness concerning PMOD. Yet, the dental students did not differ significantly from their medical coun­terpart in most of the responses related to OCA. Surprisingly, more Dental students had misconception that OCA is not preventable and early detec­tion is difficult. Few of both groups were confident in having sufficient knowledge in OCA prevention and detection. Only 18.6% of Medical stu­dents had examined PMOD and few students of both groups had exam­ined OCA. Conclusions: This study revealed the deficient aspect in the knowledge concerning OCA and OPMD among Medical and Dental students indicat­ing the need to emphasize on these aspects of medical education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-283
Author(s):  
Latifa Saleem ◽  
Hanan Mahmoud ◽  
Bobby Joseph

Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude about oral cancer among undergraduate medical and dental students at Kuwait University Health Sciences Center. Subjects and Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 140 undergraduate Health Sciences Center students at Kuwait University, 70 were medical students and 70 were dental students. Students’ knowledge and attitude about oral cancer and its risk factors, in addition, their diagnostic concepts and opinions were assessed. Moreover, the students’ confidence in their ability to detect and refer clinically suspicious cases was evaluated and the responses were analyzed. Results: Of the 140 undergraduate dental and medical students surveyed, 131 returned the completed questionnaire (93.5% response rate). There was a statistically significant difference detected in the students’ knowledge about betel quid and smokeless tobacco as risk factors for oral cancer development. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the students’ knowledge about the high-risk age group associated with oral cancer, the viral association with oral cancer, oral premalignant lesions, high-risk areas associated with oral cancer, and the warning features that can raise the suspicion of oral cancer. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the students’ confidence and ability to detect pre-malignant lesions and their opinion in their faculty curriculum development.Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of increasing awareness and attitude towards oral cancer detection by both undergraduate dental and medical students who are considered to be the future primary care providers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220
Author(s):  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Aqsa Iftikhar ◽  
Zahra Malik ◽  
Kapil Kiran Aedma ◽  
Hafsa Meraj ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThis study has been designed to elucidate the prevalence of stress, depression and poor sleep among medical students in a Pakistani medical school. There is a paucity of data on social support among medical students in Pakistan; an important predictor of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study was also aimed to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of social support in alleviating depressive symptoms in the study sample.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, where a total of 400 students at a medical school were approached between 1st January to 31st March 2018 to participate in the study. The study sample comprised of medical and dental students enrolled at a privately financed Pakistani medical and dental school. The participants responded to a self-administered survey comprising of five parts: a) demographics, b) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), c) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), d) Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and e) Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). All data were analysed using SPSS v. 20. Linear regression analysis was used to reveal the predictors of depression.ResultsIn total, 353 medical students participated, yielding a response rate of 88.25%. Overall, poor sleep quality was experienced by 205 (58.1%) students. Mild to severe depression was reported by 83% of the respondents: mild depression by 104 (29.5%), moderate depression by 104 (29.5%), moderately severe depression by 54 (15.3%) and severe depression by 31 (8.8%) respondents. Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and stress levels were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Social support was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the regression model (Beta = -0.08, P < 0.09); however, it acted as a significant mediator, reducing the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality and stress.ConclusionsAccording to our study, a large proportion of healthcare (medical and dental) students were found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression and experienced poor sleep quality. It is concluded that social support is an important variable in predicting depressive symptomatology by ameliorating the effects of poor sleep quality and high stress levels.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
Kamis Gaballah ◽  
Asmaa Faden ◽  
Fatima Jassem Fakih ◽  
Anfal Yousuf Alsaadi ◽  
Nadeen Faiz Noshi ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess the ability of dental students and recent graduates to detect and recognize mucosal changes that are suggestive of oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered to dental students and recent graduates of Ajman University (n = 132). Completed questionnaires were received from 84 (63.6%) females and 48 (36.4%) males which included fifth-year students (n = 80), interns (n = 39), and dental practitioners (n = 13). This questionnaire was designed to assess the respondent’s ability to detect and recognize different types of oral lesions, as well as their knowledge of oral cancer appearance and malignancy potential. The overall accuracy of diagnosis was 46%. The participants correctly identified normal variations, benign tumors, malignant tumors, and premalignant lesions at rates of 60.3%, 31.0%, 55.7%, and 33.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two genders in their ability to recognize and detect correct answers (females, 48.3%; males, 47.2%). According to education level, interns provided the highest percentage of correct answers (52.5%), followed by newly dental practitioners (51.9%) and fifth-year students (44.1%). Conclusion: The respondents of this survey did not exhibit a satisfactory diagnostic capability in recognizing mucosal changes consistent with the clinical presentation of oral cancer. Thus, a need exists for improved and updated educational methods for undergraduate students regarding oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders. Meanwhile, practitioners should look for oral abnormalities to provide better diagnosis and management. Practitioners should also stay up to date on the oral malignancy topic by attending workshops and clinicopathological conferences.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 892-895
Author(s):  
Nishanthi R ◽  
Ashok Velayudhan ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy

Oral cancer affects people in the 6th and seventh many years of existence with a background marked by smoking tobacco and, or liquor utilization. Early acknowledgement and referral are basic as less treatment is required to decrease mortality and morbidity. Past examinations have demonstrated that oral cancer can be quiet in symptoms with attention to primal signs being increasingly advantageous in diagnosis. To assessing oral cancer knowledge and awareness among undergraduate dental studentsA cross-sectional survey was done with a self-administered questionnaire with 10 questions circulated among 100 dental students. The questionnaire assessed the awareness about oral cancer, their risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management strategies. The responses were recorded and analysed. 96 % of dental students were aware of oral cancer.95% said smoking and tobacco-related products are the major risk factors of oral cancer.85% were aware of clinical manifestation of oral cancer.71% were aware of the diagnosis of oral cancer and 65% were aware of management strategies for oral cancer.Greater part of the responders in this investigation had satisfactory information about clinical indications of oral cancer. Efforts ought to be made to develop inspirational disposition towards avoidance of oral cancer. There is a necessity to present instructions on counteraction, early referral and demonstrative techniques for oral cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yujiao Hou ◽  
Guang Mei ◽  
Yutong Liu ◽  
Weisheng Xu

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical fitness, lifestyle, and academic performance of Chinese college students and investigate the differences among medical and dental students on their lifestyle. Methods. This study was conducted with 316 students enrolled from 2012 to 2014 at Tongji University. Scores from the college physical test were used to represent the students’ physical fitness condition. Lifestyle was measured by some variables extracted from the students’ behavior data provided by the university’s information center. Academic performance was measured by the average score of basic courses and the average score of professional courses. Demographic information, including age, gender, nation, and family background, was also obtained. Separate multiple linear regression analysis was performed for modeling academic performance and physical fitness with a p value threshold of 0.05. Results. A total of 212 (45.97% females) medical students and 104 (58.65% females) dental students participated in this study. Physical fitness score (medical: r = 0.34, p<0.001; dental: r = 0.47, p<0.001), library visiting frequency (medical: r = 0.30, p<0.001; dental: r = 0.62, p<0.001), number of books borrowed (medical: r = 0.19, p<0.01; dental: r = 0.37, p<0.001), frequency of waking up early (medical: r = 0.29, p<0.001; dental: r = −0.30, p<0.01), and times of eating breakfast (medical: r = 0.49, p<0.001; dental: r = 0.47, p<0.001) were all significantly associated with academic performance. Library visiting frequency (medical: r = 0.26, p<0.001; dental: r = 0.41, p<0.001) and eating frequency (medical: r = 0.48, p<0.001; dental: r = 0.42, p<0.001) were also closely related with physical fitness. Conclusion. Physical fitness, library usage, and the regularity of lifestyle are significant contributors to academic performance among Chinese medical and dental students. Moreover, medical students are shown to have less rest time compared to dental students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Gohar Gohar Babar ◽  
Syed Shahzad Hasan ◽  
Lee Ping Lim ◽  
Phei June Lim ◽  
Nik Mohd Mazuan Nik Mohd Rosdy ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study compared the empathic behaviour of first year to final year dental and medical students in Malaysia and explored whether academic training of dental and medical students increases their subjective empathic tendencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 1020 first year to final year (fifth-year) undergraduate medical and dental students using a validated, self-administered Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Care Provider Student Version (JSE-HPS) questionnaire. The data were collected from first year to final year (fifth-year) students enrolled in Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree programs at 2 government-funded universities and one private university. Results: Dental students had a significantly higher total mean empathy score than medical students (84.11 versus 81.96, p < 0.05). However, medical students had a narrow actual score range (59.35 - 133.35) than dental (22.05 - 133.35) students. Males (Medical: 82.57, Dental: 84.97) and students of Malay origin (Medical: 82.52, Dental: 85.11) were more empathic than females and students of other ethnic origins. The results also indicate that third-year medical students (mean: 82.95) and fourth-year dental students (mean: 86.36) were more empathic than students in other professional years.Conclusions: We recommend the use of some form of active training and assessment to assist in the development of empathy in medical and dental students. Medical and dental schools should place more emphasis on teaching empathic communication.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 1565-1573
Author(s):  
Anushya P ◽  
Keerthi Sasanka L ◽  
Jothi Priya A

Dentists have a crucial role within the best prevention measures, controlling etiological factors and early detection. Lack of general dentist carcinoma knowledge has been shown to be a serious factor to delays in referral and treatment. Dentists’ competence and confidence in detecting carcinoma could also be strongly influenced by their school of dentistry training. Hence, it's the responsibility of the school of dentistry to make sure the formation of a generalist with solid technical, scientific, ethical knowledge, promoting good oral hygiene and prevention of oral diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess dental student’s awareness, role in preventing and early detection of oral cancer. The study population included 100 dental students. The data was collected and statistically analysed. In this present study, 48% male and 52% female participated. Here, 76% of scholars are conscious of carcinoma whereas 24% of scholars are unaware of oral cancer. The risk factors for carcinoma mainly described by the scholars were 44% for smoking and 8% for alcohol consumption. Most of the scholars considered that labial/ buccal mucosa was the commonest site in diagnosis of oral cancer. The early detection of carcinoma improves survival, which was suggested by 46% of scholars. About 59% of scholars reported that they need sufficient knowledge regarding prevention and management of carcinoma. In this present study, out of 100 Dental students who participated in awareness of carcinoma, majority of the dental students were aware and had better knowledge on preventive measures of oral cancer. This study also highlights the necessity for an improvement of the teaching program regarding oral examination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
AM Amrutha ◽  

Basic life support (BLS) is the medical procedures and skills which are used to save the victim from life-threatening emergencies until medical care is provided at the hospital. BLS procedures include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control, artificial ventilation and basic airway management. Fatal medical emergencies may occur at any time. However, there are no set standards introduced in India to date. These life-saving maneuvers can be given through the structured resuscitation programs, which are lacking in the academic curriculum. The present study assessed the level of awareness toward basic life support (BLS) among medical and dental students. A cross-sectional study was carried out among dental and medical students in 2019. The study participants were people of the age group between 18-25 years. A convenient sample size of 250 was studied. A total of 250 subjects of age groups 18-25 years were analyzed in the study. The majority of students were not aware of BLS, with medical students fairing slightly better than dental students. The present study demonstrates poor knowledge among medical and dental students regarding BLS and showed the urgent need for continuous refreshing courses for this critical topic. Keywords: Knowledge; basic life support; medical students; dental students


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