Abstract
Aim: To compare the confidence levels of staff and students in a dental school when raising awareness to patients of the link between oral sex and mouth cancer and to identify any barriers that may prevent education being given to patients.
Method: An on-line survey was distributed to second and third year dental hygiene and therapy students (HTS), final year dental students (DS) and academic staff.
Results: A total of 49 responses were analysed. The results demonstrated that 100% of responding HTS and staff were not raising awareness to patients on a regular basis. The main reasons for this were attributed to personal discomfort (35%) and lack of knowledge of the subject (22%).
Conclusions: Despite 63% of participants considering educating patients regarding the risks of oral sex as important, patients are still not being made aware of the mouth cancer risks associated with oral sex. Both staff and students demonstrated a need for education in both knowledge of the risks associated with oral sex and behavioural techniques for discussing sensitive subjects with patients.
Method: An on-line survey was distributed to second and third year dental hygiene and therapy students (HTS), final year dental students (DS) and academic staff.
Results: A total of 49 responses were analysed. The results demonstrated that 100% of responding HTS and staff were not raising awareness to patients on a regular basis. The main reasons for this were attributed to personal discomfort (35%) and lack of knowledge of the subject (22%).
Conclusions: Despite 63% of participants considering educating patients regarding the risks of oral sex as important, patients are still not being made aware of the mouth cancer risks associated with oral sex. Both staff and students demonstrated a need for education in both knowledge of the risks associated with oral sex and behavioural techniques for discussing sensitive subjects with patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 21-26 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Specialist publication | Annual Clinical Journal of Dental Health |
| Publisher | British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
