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

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 28 January 2016

save

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.

To post a reply please login or register

Dentists receive new tool to combat enamel erosion

LONDON, UK: Teeth in this day and age are constantly under attack. While sugar has been considered to do the most harm to our pearly whites, a new concern ...

Oral cancer patient sues dentist

MANCHESTER – A woman from Manchester has sued her dentist for failing to diagnose her oral cancer. The 58-year-old was referred to the dentist for ...

UK dentists expect drop in earnings, patient numbers in 2021

LONDON, UK: A new report commissioned by the General Dental Council (GDC) has found that UK dental professionals are pessimistic about being able to meet ...

New dental education facility opens in Exeter

EXETER, UK: Replacing an old dental training facility at Heavitree Hospital, the new Dental Education Facility was opened last week in Exeter. In addition ...

New figures show general decline in cancer deaths but increase in oesophageal cancer

LONDON, UK/ATLANTA, USA: Although the death rate from cancer in general has declined steadily over the past two decades, the latest statistics published by ...

Scottish dental patients receive HIV warning

GLASGOW/DUMFRIES, UK: Only a few days after the UK Department of Health announced that it will ease the ban on HIV-positive medical personnel, health ...

English dentists to receive above-inflation pay raise

LONDON, UK: Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that NHS England dentists will receive a 2.5% pay increase backdated ...

New digital 3D models for forensic odontology education

DUNDEE, Scotland: Advancing technology in forensic odontology is vital to further improving the accuracy and reliability of dental identification, bite mark...

New report urges greater awareness about mouth cancer

LONDON, England: A new report published by the Oral Health Foundation has highlighted some concerning figures surrounding both the prevalence of mouth ...

Massive patient recall after breach by dentist in Nottinghamshire

GEDLING, UK: Thousands of patients treated by a dentist at Daybrook Dental Surgery in Gedling near Nottingham have been recalled by NHS England in ...

Education

On-demand
webinar