Oral Cancer Awareness and Perception of Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling among Dental Students in Four Asian Countries

Background: The scientific evidence relating to the burden of oral diseases attributable to tobacco use hasbeen reviewed and the need for a well-structured dental teaching program concentrating on oral cancer educationand tobacco cessation interventions has been emphasized. The aim of our study was to evaluate the awarenessof oral cancer and perception of tobacco use cessation counseling among dental students at all study levels inIndia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Materials and
Methods: A structured, pre-tested,self-administered 15-item questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey. Data analyses includingpercentages, frequency distributions and tests of chi-square were generated.
Results: A total of 621 (97.6%)Indian, 493 (96.5%) Saudi, 194 (96.5%) Yemeni and 187 (98.4%) United Arab Emirates respondents recognizedthe association between oral cancer and cigarette smoking. Although more than 96% of the students surveyedrecognized the association between oral cancer and cigarette smoking and about 55% reported cigarette smokingas one of the etiological factors of oral cancer, more than 66% of students who reported cigarette smoking asan etiological factor of oral cancer disagreed/strongly disagreed with all the statements concerning tobacco usecessation.
Conclusions: A higher level of oral cancer awareness did not have a positive impact on the perceptionof tobacco use cessation counseling among the sample surveyed.