Awareness and Knowledge Level of Oral Cancer Among Patients Visiting The Dentist

Aim: Oral cancers are a significant global health concern. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of awareness and knowledge about oral cancers, their risk factors, and early signs among patients attending dental examinations. This research aims to determine the current level of awareness about oral cancers and to identify gaps in knowledge in this area. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients aged 18 and above attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. The survey included a total of 750 participants and covered demographic information, smoking and alcohol habits, awareness of oral cancers, knowledge of early symptoms of oral cancer, and awareness of associated risk factors. Results: The participants consist of 63.7% females and 36.3% males. The smoking rate is 31.2%, and alcohol consumption is 14.4%. 53.4% of participants lack awareness of oral cancer; among those aware, 21.6% cite media sources and 4.4% cite dentists as their information sources. Despite smoking (70.4%) and alcohol consumption (56.7%) being well-known risk factors, awareness regarding sun exposure (22.7%) and aging (41.2%) is lower. Moreover, knowledge about early symptoms of oral cancer such as non-healing ulcers (40.3%), red sores (31.1%), white plaques (24%), and persistent swellings (31.5%) is also low. Conclusion: This study shows that awareness about oral cancers is low among patients visiting dentists. Consistent with our findings, media usage in this context can be an effective way to increase awareness, while regular dental check-ups can also play a role in enhancing awareness.