Practices of Maryland dentists: oral cancer prevention and early detection- baseline data from 1995

OBJECTIVES: To investigate practices and opinions of general dentists in Ma ryland, USA, related to oral and pharyngeal cancer prevention and early det ection. DESIGN AND METHODS: A pre-tested, 34-item questionnaire, cover letter and a ddressed, stamped envelope were mailed in the summer, 1995, to a simple ran dom sample of 800 members and non-members of the American Dental Associatio n practicing in Maryland. A reminder postcard was sent 3 weeks after initia l mailing; a second complete mailing to all non-respondents 6 weeks after f irst mailing, RESULTS: Over 90% of dentists asked about patient's current use of tobacco but only 77% assessed patient's history of tobacco use and types and amount s used. Fewer (66%) asked about present use of alcohol. Ninety percent repo rted providing an oral cancer examination at the initial appointment for pa tients 40 years of age or older; only 6% provided the examination for edent ulous patients and only 40% reported palpating lymph nodes of patients 80% or more of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists' reporting on providing oral cancer examinations and taking appropriate health histories are disappointing. These results call f or comprehensive educational interventions in terms of changes in dental cu rricula and as continuing education courses especially since most dentists were interested in continuing education courses on oral cancer prevention a nd early detection.