Oral cancer awareness and knowledge among dental patients in South India

Aim: TO assess the 1) levels of awareness and knowledge about risk factors and early signs of oral cancer among dental patients visiting dental hospital in Hyderabad city, South India 2) and to correlate the knowledge levels according to age, gender and education levels. Methods: The survey comprised of 16-item questionnaire which was distributed to patients attending Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences, Hyderabad. Data was collected and statistically analysis was done using SPSS software (12.0 version). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 2045 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate - 97. 9%). The reliability of the questionnaire as calculated by Cronbach's alpha was 0.75. Mean age of the study population was 37.9 years. 60.2% of the respondents had heard about oral cancer. When knowledge towards risk factors of oral cancer was taken into consideration along with variables, significant differences were seen only in gender with female having better knowledge (p = 0.02). No significant difference was noted among the age group and varying education levels. However, knowledge about early signs of oral cancer revealed a highly significant difference with the level of education (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The awareness levels and knowledge about risk factors and early signs of oral cancer in this cross-section of Indian dental patients were satisfactory. (C) 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.