Oral cancer knowledge : a survey administered to patients in Dental Departments at large Italian hospital

We aimed to describe knowledge regarding oral cancer (OC) risk factors and symptoms among patients attending Dental Departments within Italian University hospitals and assess whether smoking habits and family history of OC affected OC knowledge. Methods: 2200 questionnaires were sent to four hospitals in order to assess patients’ knowledge regarding clinical and epidemiological aspects of OC. Information on socio-demographic and personal risk behaviors was also collected. OC knowledge was evaluated overall and stratified by smoking status and oral cancer family history; heterogeneity was assessed by use of the χ2 test. Results: A total of 1201 questionnaires were collected (response rate, 55%). Patients’ socio-demographic characteristics were similar by study site. The majority of participants correctly identified cigarette smoking as a risk factor for OC (86%) and vegetable consumption (74%) and good oral hygiene (77%) as possible protective factors; however it was less widely known that heavy alcohol consumption (55%) and pipe smoking (19%) were OC risk factors. Less than 15 % of patients reported having received OC counseling by a dentist or physician. In stratified analyses, current (34%), former (11%) and never smokers (50%) reported similar OC knowledge. Individuals with a positive family history for oral cancer (17%) were significantly more likely to identify risk factors for oral cancer correctly such as cigarette smoking (94% vs. 85%, p=0.0011), possible signs of oral cancer (83% vs. 72%, p<0.005), and report having received oral counseling by physicians (13% vs. 7%, p<0.001), dentists (24% vs. 12%, p<0.001) or other health care personnel (27% vs. 8%, p<0.001). Family history of OC did not affect smoking status. Conclusions: Patients were knowledgeable about most risk factors and clinical signs of OC; positive family history of OC was associated with improved knowledge. Oral health care providers infrequently talk about OC to their patients. Relevance: Better communication between oral health care personnel and patients is needed