Ghada Eslaman Tony, Nagwa Mohamed Ali Khattab And Ahmed Abdel-Hamid Abdel-Kader,

ABSTRACT
Objectives This Study Indented To Investigate The Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Levels Of Dentists In Upper Egypt Regarding Oral Cancer (OC). Methods An Observational Cross Sectional Survey Using Unnamed Questionnaire Contained 44 Items Covering Different Aspects Connected To OC Were Completely Filled By 400 Randomly Selected Licensed Dentists In Three Governorates In Upper Egypt (Minia, Assuit And Sohag). Results Rate Of Response Was 94.3%. The Overall Knowledge Level In The Current Study Was 31.8%. The Awareness About OC Risk Factors Was High Especially Smoking Tobacco And Alcohol Consumption. Also, Over 80% Of Dentists Identified Family History And HPV As Risk Factors. Only 37.5% Of Participants Performed Regular Screening Of Oral Mucosa And 26.5% Reported Lymph Node Examination. Regarding Attitude, Only One Quarter Of Dentists Attended Continuing Educating Programs About OC. A Statistically Significant Relation (p<0.0001) Between Knowledge Level And Most Demographic Variables Was Detected. There Was Fair Positive Correlation (r=0.47) Between Practice And Knowledge Scores. Conclusions A Predominant Trouble Among Dentists In Upper Egypt Regarding OC Knowledge And Practice. Continues Education And Training Programmes Are Highly Recommended.