Avaliação do conhecimento dos estudantes de um Centro Universitário de Porto Velho - RO sobre o diagnóstico do câncer bucal

Oral cancer represents an important public health problem, mainly due to late diagnosis. In this context, knowledge of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), risk factors, and the clinical characteristics of oral cancer is essential for early diagnosis. This study aimed to assess dental students’ knowledge of oral cancer, considering aspects related to clinical characteristics, risk factors, and early diagnosis. This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted through the administration of a 36-question questionnaire to 60 dental students. The results showed a mean score of 5.81 points, with a standard deviation of 2.05. Grade B was the most frequent, assigned to 21 participants (35%). The question with the lowest number of correct answers addressed the clinical characteristics of lymph nodes associated with cervical metastasis, with 19 correct responses (31.7%). The findings revealed difficulties among participants in certain aspects of the knowledge assessed, particularly in recognizing clinical characteristics relevant to diagnosis. It is concluded that the results reinforce the importance of further addressing oral cancer during academic training, helping prepare future dentists to recognize these conditions and contribute to early diagnosis.