Oral cavity examination: beyond the core curriculum?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Oncology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Oral cancer survival rates remain poor, often due to late diagnosis.
• Inadequate medical school training in oral cavity examination is a contributing factor.
• Late presentation significantly impacts patient outcomes in oral cancer cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess medical students' opinions and experiences regarding oral cavity examination training.
• To identify deficiencies in current medical school curricula related to oral cancer detection skills.
• To evaluate student confidence in diagnosing oral cavity and lip carcinoma.

Main Methods:

• A web-based, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 600 medical students.
• The questionnaire focused on education and practical experience in oral cavity examination.
• Response rate was 76% (458 students).

Main Results:

• 73% of respondents were not taught oral cavity examination techniques.
• 81% lacked practical experience examining patients' oral cavities.
• Only 15% felt confident diagnosing oral or lip cancer; 89% found tuition inadequate.

Conclusions:

• Current medical school curricula inadequately prepare students for oral cavity examination.
• There is an urgent need for medical schools and oral/maxillofacial surgery departments to integrate essential oral examination skills.
• Improved training is crucial for earlier oral cancer detection and enhanced patient survival.