Attitude of general dental practitioners, oral surgeons, and dentistry students towards oral lesions and oral biopsy

Abstract

Background: Oral biopsy is a fundamental surgical procedure used to obtain a histopathological result that assists clinicians in establishing a definitive diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions. The aim of this study was to asses the knowledge and attitudes of dental students, general dentists, and oral surgery experts regarding the detection of oral lesions and the use of biopsy as a diagnostic tool. Material and methods: a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 26 questions and 3 clinical cases on oral lesions was distributed to general dentists, oral surgery specialists and final-year dentistry students at the University of Barcelona. A descriptive analysis of all variables included was performed. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, and a multivariate logistic regression model was performed. Results: A total of 281 questionnaires were included in the study. In terms of diagnosing of oral lesions, 44.7% of students and 32.1% of general dentists were unable to make an accurate diagnosis, compared to 81.7% of specialists. Twelve students (15.8%) and twenty general dentists (14.9%) reported lacking the skills to perform a biopsy. Ninety general dentists (67.2%) reported feeling uncomfortable performing biopsies due to a lack of experience. Oral surgeons are 84.4 times more likely to identify lesions of the oral mucosa compared to students. General dentists experience 9.6 times more difficulty diagnosing oral lesions compared to students. General dentists are 0.43 times less likely to perform sample analysis compared to students. Conclusions: Oral biopsy is a procedure primarily performed by specialists in oral surgery, with its use among general dentists being limited, likely due to a lack of training in the field. To encourage the use of biopsy among general dentists, clinical training should be a fundamental component of the education of oral healthcare providers.