Novák Peter, Szabó Réka Magdolna, Braunitzer Gábor, Vereb István, Bágyi Kinga, Nagy Ákos, Joób-Fancsaly Árpád, Antal Márk Ádám
Department of Operative and Esthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Department of Health Economics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Int Dent J. 2025 Jul 12;75(5):100878. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2025.100878.
Oral cancer screening is a critical preventive measure, yet various factors influence healthcare professionals' willingness to engage in it. This nationwide cross-sectional study in Hungary examined the impact of diagnostic self-confidence, knowledge, and professional background on oral cancer screening and advisory behaviours among dentists, physicians, and clinical-grade medical and dental students.
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 803 participants to assess their screening practices, knowledge, confidence, and educational needs.
Results indicated that diagnostic self-confidence was a key determinant of both screening and advisory behaviours, surpassing the impact of objective knowledge. Dentists and dental students demonstrated higher screening rates compared to physicians and medical students, reflecting differences in educational emphasis. While most respondents acknowledged gaps in their oral cancer knowledge, relatively few expressed a strong interest in further training. Online learning emerged as the preferred educational format, suggesting that the methods professionals favour may not be optimal for enhancing their screening and advisory abilities.
These findings demonstrate the need for educational interventions that not only improve knowledge but also build confidence in early detection and patient communication. Future studies should explore training strategies that effectively bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring that healthcare professionals feel both prepared and motivated to engage in routine oral cancer screening and prevention efforts. Additionally, identifying barriers to participation in continuing education could help tailor learning opportunities that align with professional demands and time constraints. Understanding these factors is essential for optimizing oral cancer detection and reducing the burden of disease.
口腔癌筛查是一项关键的预防措施，但多种因素会影响医疗保健专业人员参与其中的意愿。这项在匈牙利开展的全国性横断面研究，考察了诊断自信、知识水平和专业背景对牙医、医生以及临床级别的医学和牙科学生进行口腔癌筛查及提供咨询行为的影响。
对803名参与者进行了基于问卷的调查，以评估他们的筛查实践、知识水平、自信程度和教育需求。
结果表明，诊断自信是筛查和咨询行为的关键决定因素，其影响力超过了客观知识。与医生和医学学生相比，牙医和牙科学生的筛查率更高，这反映了教育重点的差异。虽然大多数受访者承认自己在口腔癌知识方面存在差距，但相对较少有人表示对进一步培训有强烈兴趣。在线学习成为首选的教育形式，这表明专业人员青睐的方法可能并非提升其筛查和咨询能力的最佳方式。
这些发现表明需要开展教育干预措施，不仅要提高知识水平，还要增强在早期检测和与患者沟通方面的信心。未来的研究应探索能有效弥合知识与实践之间差距的培训策略，确保医疗保健专业人员有充分准备并有动力参与常规的口腔癌筛查和预防工作。此外，找出参与继续教育的障碍有助于量身定制符合专业需求和时间限制的学习机会。了解这些因素对于优化口腔癌检测和减轻疾病负担至关重要。
