Patient’s knowledge about oral pathology: evaluative and quality investigation

OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study is to verify and quantify the awareness of the population about oral pathologies both oncological or not.MATERIALS AND METHODSAn anonymous questionnaire in paper and digital form consisting of 13 dichotomous YES/NO answers and 4 multiple ones has been chosen. Both dentistry workers and minors under 18 were excluded from the study. The distribution has been interrupted at questionnaire number 900. Google Modules have been used as software. It has registered the number of participants and the percentage of every answer creating the corresponding graphic.RESULTSThe most relevant data is that 471 out of 900 have never heard about oral carcinoma before. 70,6% generally do not check their gums on a daily basis. Quite 83% declare that their tissues have never been checked by their personal dentist. 97,6% have identified smoke and alcohol as risk factors, 23,1% of them are smokers and 11% do consume alcohol also between meals.CONCLUSIONSThe awareness of oral pathology is limited among the recluted population, who represented the population's sample. Even if the carcinoma is very frequent and aggressive, more than half of the participants never heard about the oral cavity carcinoma. They are aware about the risk factors but they are not able to prevent them. In routinely visits the dental team should care more about getting their patients involved by teaching them to autonomously check their tissues.