Oral cancer - the real and practices the dentistry of Santa Catarina

Abstract

Oral cancer is a complex and multifactorial genetic disease that is potentially fatal. It continues to show a high worldwide incidence and is regarded as a public health problem. The early diagnosis of oral tumours should not present great difficulty since the region is easily accessed by clinical examination, without the need for any type of special equipment, and pre-cancerous lesions can be diagnosed and treated before undergoing malignant transformation. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical practice and the attitude towards oral cancer among dental surgeons in Santa Catarina. This transverse study involved a sample of 385 dental surgeons, randomly chosen from the data base of the regional professional board (CROSC). The questionnaire used was sent via conventional mail and via e-mail, with the respective response rates of 19.7% and 1.4% demonstrating a lack of interest among this group in both the subject and in participating in scientific research. The results show that the practice of carrying out an examination for oral cancer to identify suspicious lesions was reported by the majority of the sample (72%), although 47.5% of the sample replied that they had never performed a diagnosis of oral cancer. The policy of the Federal Government of referring patients with suspicious lesions is not being enacted, since only 11.7% reported having referred their patients to Centres of Dental Specialisation (CEOs). These findings show that practice among dental professionals is far from ideal, that it is necessary to publicize the diagnostic services to professionals in Santa Catarina, and that the dental surgeon must take responsibility for the diagnosis of oral cancer.