Assessment of oral cancer awareness among dentists in Tunisia: A cross-sectional study

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Published Apr 12, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i03.5715
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Vol. 104 No. 03 (2026): Tunis Med Mar 2026

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Sahar Kadri
Department of dentistry, University Hospital of Farhat Hached, Research Laboratory LR 12SP10: Functional and Aesthetic Rehabilitation of Maxillary, University of Sousse, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Afef Slim
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Amira Besbes
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Marwa Garma
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Hajer Hentati
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
Jamil Selmi
Department of Oral Surgery, University of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Oral cancer is an increasing global health problem, and its early diagnosis is of great importance. Worldwide, several studies have
assessed dentists’ knowledge and practices regarding oral cancer. However, there is a lack of available data on this subject in Tunisia.
Aim: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral cancer among dentists in Tunisia.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 350 dentists (255 females, 72.9%; 95 males, 27.1%)
practicing in both public and private sectors across different regions of Tunisia. The mean age of participants was 30 years (range: 24–49), and their
professional experience varied from less than 5 years to more than 20 years. Dentists’ knowledge about risk factors and clinical presentations of
oral cancer development, and their current practices were assessed. Associations between knowledge levels and sex, seniority, specialty, type of
practice, and sources of information were examined using the χ² test and Fisher’s exact test.
Results: The majority of participants identified tobacco (93.4%) and alcohol consumption (45.4%) as major risk factors for oral cancer. Oral medicine
university specialists aged under 40 years had the best scores in identifying the floor of the mouth as the most common site for oral cancer,
erythroplakia and leukoplakia as the most likely potentially malignant lesions, and squamous cell carcinoma as the most common histological type.
Conclusion: Dentists have a crucial role in the early detection of oral cancer. This study revealed important gaps...( abstract truncated at  250 words).

Keywords:

Dentists, Early Detection of Cancer, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Mouth Neoplasms, Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders, Preventive Dentistry

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