The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59226

Barbara Powe, PhD, RN¹, Ramona Finnie, MPH, CHES¹, Arlene Lester, DDS, MPH², Donoria Wilkerson¹, Stacy Sanders¹, and Emmanuel Ntekop, MD, MPH³. (1) Behavioral Research Center, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4250, 404-329-7749, barbara.powe@cancer.org, (2) Region IV, Minority Health Consultant, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 5B95, Atlanta, GA 30303-8903, (3) Department of Epidemiology and Surveillence, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329

Objectives: To describe and compare baseline knowledge of oral cancer, risk factors, and screening among a group of African American dental providers. Methods: A descriptive design was used. Providers were recruited at the annual meeting of their professional organization and asked to complete the Cancer Knowledge Survey and a Demographic Questionnaire. Results: The sample included seventy-five providers (30 dentists, 26 hygienists, 26 students) who reported an average of 64 patients per week. The majority (68%) of their patients were African American. Providers were knowledgeable about incidence and characteristics of oral cancer lesions but less knowledgeable about oral cancer prevention and early detection issues. For example, everyone responded that oral examinations were not required for edentulous patients. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in oral cancer knowledge between the dentists, hygienists, and students. Conclusions: Knowledge about oral cancer prevention and early detection posed the greatest challenge for the providers. Few providers (21%) reported participating in continuing education activities in the past year focused on oral cancer. These issues are important because African American men have the lowest five year survival rate for oral cancer, yet few studies have focused specifically on African American dental providers as a means to address these disparities. Clearly, more research needs to be done in this area focused on providers and their patients.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to compare and contrast baseliner knowledge of oral cancer, risk factors, and screening among African American dentists, hygienists, and students.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.