LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore knowledge, practice, and attitude on oral cancer among a cohort of Italian dental hygienists, in consideration of their role in the field of early diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study of 150 Italian dental hygienists was performed to assess the participant's knowledge, practice, and attitude on oral cancer. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaire (through Google Forms). The questionnaire included four sections: sociodemographic information, disease' knowledge, answers related to attitudes towards oral cancer, and questionnaire assessing the practice of dental hygienists on oral screening. RESULTS Responses were received from 137 participants (83 women,54 men). Overall, there is a good knowledge of the real risk factors among the participants (98,5%, 98,5% and 94,2% regard smoking, alcohol and HPV, respectively). The analysis related to the knowledge of non-risk factors, OPMDs and clinical features of oral cancer showed more heterogeneous results. Only 60% considered university education to be adequate. The totality of dental hygienists considered continuing education necessary, but despite this, only half took updating courses. Finally, 90% performed intraoral screening visits, 95% and 69% investigated smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed the need to implement oral cancer training courses re-evaluating pre- and post-graduate training programs.