DT News - UK - Dentists receive new tool in patient cancer education

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 28 January 2016

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LONDON, UK: King’s College London Dental Institute has reported that it has successfully tested a new set of tools that could help clinicians to communicate the issue of oral cancer better to patients. After only one training session on using the guide, dentists felt more informed and confident to talk about the topic.

They also initiated greater discussion on oral cancer-related issues with their patients. Post-training, a significantly higher proportion of dentists further compared with pre-training reported via a questionnaire that they informed patients that they were being screened for oral cancer.

Over 40 dentists took part in the study, the results of which were recently published in the British Dental Journal. In addition to an update on oral cancer during the training, they received an introduction to the communication guide, as well as learning activities and opportunities to practise using the guide through role-play and feedback.

“It is not intended to be used as a script, but rather to be used as a guide for interactive discussions about symptoms, the importance of early detection, and when and where to seek help should symptoms occur,” explained co-author of the study Prof. Tim Newton.

The latest statistics from Cancer Research UK show that nearly 6,800 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK every year. This figure has increased by 50 per cent within the last ten years.

Despite the worrying figures, the majority of dentists are reluctant to discuss oral cancer-related issues with patients during regular appointments. Among the perceived barriers reported by dentists were fear of making the patient anxious, as well as time constraints and the dentist’s lack of awareness, according to a 2015 study.

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