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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral Cancer Awareness, Screening Behavior, and Risk-Factor Recognition Among Patients Attending a University Dental
Elif Betul Yıldırım1, Ozgun Yıldırım2, Yeliz Kılınç1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara 06490, Turkey.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Oral cancer awareness is limited, with only half of patients recognizing it. Education, especially from dentists and via social media, is key for early detection.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Oncology
- Dental Medicine
Background:
- Oral cancer presents a significant global health challenge, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates.
- Public awareness is a critical factor for achieving early detection and improving patient outcomes.
- Developing countries face a disproportionately high burden of oral cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate oral cancer awareness, risk factor recognition, and screening behaviors among patients at a Turkish university dental hospital.
- To assess patients' preferences for seeking care when oral cancer is suspected.
- To identify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with oral cancer awareness.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey involving 1360 patients at a university dental hospital in Türkiye.
- Data collected via a structured questionnaire on sociodemographics, oral cancer knowledge, screening history, and lifestyle.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- Only 50.8% of participants had heard of oral cancer, despite high recognition of breast cancer (96.9%).
- Tobacco and alcohol were recognized risk factors, but human papillomavirus (HPV) recognition was lower (58.3%).
- Independent predictors of oral cancer awareness included undergraduate education, higher income, alcohol use, and recent dental visits.
Conclusions:
- Oral cancer awareness within the studied population is notably low.
- Targeted educational interventions are recommended to enhance public understanding of oral cancer.
- Enhancing the role of dentists in prevention and utilizing social media for education can improve awareness and facilitate early detection.
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Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Here are the steps to accurately measure oral temperature using an electronic thermometer:
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...