Knowledge and Awareness of Dental Students Regarding Human Papillomavirus and Oral Cancer in Saudi Arabia

Alsalhani, Anas B; Tarakji, Bassel; Mehsen Alali, Faisal; Alhedyan, Faisal S.; Abdulaziz Alduaydi, Nasser; Saleh Alshlwi, Muhannad; Saad Alqahtahni, Abdullah; Raqe Alqhtani, Nasser; Musa'ad Almutairi, Fahad; Bin Nabhan, Abdullah; Ayidh Alqahtani, Khalid; Robaian, Ali; Noushad, Mohammed; Zakaria Nassani, Mohammad

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.11.3927

Knowledge and Awareness of Dental Students Regarding Human Papillomavirus and Oral Cancer in Saudi Arabia

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Dentistry, Vision Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

² Department of Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hama, Syria.

³ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

⁴ Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, College of Dentistry, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

⁵ Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

⁶ Implant and Restorative Dentistry, Department of Conservative Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

⁷ Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.11.3927

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental students and interns in Saudi Arabia regarding human papillomavirus and oral cancer using a cross-sectional web-based survey. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to assess the knowledge of dental students and dental interns regarding oral cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) in public and private dental schools in Saudi Arabia. The survey included 18 questions grouped into three sections. The responses were analyzed for variations between dental students and interns, among males and females, and those attending private or public colleges. The Chai-square test assessed the correlation between participants’ demographic data and their knowledge/awareness of oral cancer and HPV. Results: A total of 451 dental students and dental interns responded. The results show that dental students at private and public dental schools in Saudi Arabia are generally knowledgeable regarding knowledge of oral cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus. The dental interns exhibited significantly superior knowledge compared to the undergraduate dental students (p<0.05), particularly in the areas of identifying the most common location of oral cancer and recognizing the signs and symptoms of oral cancer (76.5% versus 65.1% correct answers). The dental interns showed a significant difference and better awareness (p<0.05) than dental students regarding HPV having a relationship with AIDS and HPV causing common warts. Conclusion: Dental students and interns in this study presented a good but less than optimal knowledge and awareness regarding HPV and its prevention. Improving education courses and training for dental students in Saudi Arabia is crucial for improving their knowledge and awareness regarding oral cancer and HPV infection.

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