McCann M F, Macpherson L M, Binnie V I, Stephen K W
Dental Public Health Unit, University of Glasgow Dental School, UK.
Community Dent Health. 2000 Mar;17(1):24-30.
The study sought to investigate current examination habits and preventive practices of Scottish dental primary care professionals, with respect to oral cancer, and to determine any training needs of these practitioners in relation to the disease.
A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 331 general dental practitioners and community dental officers throughout Scotland, achieving an overall response rate of 68%.
The study investigated examination and health promotion practices in relation to oral cancer. Confidence in, and barriers to, participating in these activities were studied, and information sought both on past training and future education needs regarding oral cancer.
Although 58% of respondents reported examining regularly for signs of oral cancer in those aged >16 years, 63% indicated they felt less than confident in detecting oral cancer, with only 43% expressing confidence about discussing suspicious findings with patients. Practitioners were well aware of the importance of smoking and alcohol as risk factors, but had mixed views on the health-promoting role of the dentist regarding these issues. Furthermore, while only 3% reported training on these topics, over half expressed a desire to develop appropriate counselling skills. Overall, 87% and 79% of respondents wanted further training in oral cancer detection and prevention, respectively.
The study indicated a need for continuing education programmes for dental primary care practitioners in oral cancer-related activities. Postgraduate education, utilising a variety of media formats, should aim to improve diagnostic skills and seek to increase practitioners' participation in both smoking and alcohol counselling.
本研究旨在调查苏格兰牙科初级保健专业人员在口腔癌方面的当前检查习惯和预防措施，并确定这些从业者在该疾病方面的任何培训需求。
向苏格兰各地的331名普通牙科医生和社区牙科官员随机抽样发送了一份问卷，总体回复率为68%。
该研究调查了与口腔癌相关的检查和健康促进措施。研究了参与这些活动的信心和障碍，并收集了有关过去口腔癌培训和未来教育需求的信息。
尽管58%的受访者报告称会定期对16岁以上人群进行口腔癌迹象检查，但63%的受访者表示他们对检测口腔癌缺乏信心，只有43%的人表示有信心与患者讨论可疑发现。从业者充分意识到吸烟和饮酒作为风险因素的重要性，但对于牙医在这些问题上的健康促进作用看法不一。此外，虽然只有3%的人报告接受过这些主题的培训，但超过一半的人表示希望培养适当的咨询技能。总体而言，87%和79%的受访者分别希望接受口腔癌检测和预防方面的进一步培训。
该研究表明需要为牙科初级保健从业者开展与口腔癌相关活动的继续教育项目。研究生教育应利用多种媒体形式，旨在提高诊断技能，并努力增加从业者参与吸烟和饮酒咨询的程度。
