Attitude and Practice of Dental Practitioners Towards the Oral Biopsy Procedure: A Questionnaire-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dentists, the first medical professionals to be consulted for conditions involving the oral cavity, have the distinct advantage of being in a position to screen patients for oral cancer. To effectively manage patients, dentists must be familiar not only with where, when, how and why to perform biopsies, but also with when to refer them to specialised institutions. Aim: To assess the attitude and practice of dental practitioners towards the oral biopsy procedure. Materials and Methods: The present questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, from July 2023 to August 2023. Fifty dental practitioners with a minimum academic qualification of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) participated in the study, which was designed to collect information regarding the importance of oral biopsy, methods used to obtain biopsies, tissue preservation, diagnosis, referral to higher centers and the attitudes and practices of dental practitioners in examining oral mucosal lesions. The questionnaire was prepared using the Google Forms app. The received responses were compiled and statistical data (percentage) was calculated using Microsoft Excel 2020. Results: Out of total, 42 (84%) dentists encounter up to 10 oral mucosal lesions, such as potentially malignant disorders, in a month. Despite this, only 22% (n=11) of them performed biopsies themselves. Furthermore, 6 (12%) dentists did not know the proper medium for preserving biopsies. Of all, 24 (48%) dentists felt the need for proper training in biopsy techniques to be included in the undergraduate curriculum. Conclusion: Despite being aware of the importance of biopsy as a crucial diagnostic procedure, not many dentists perform it routinely due to reasons such as lack of training, patient non compliance and medicolegal implications. Hence, dentists should be educated in performing the oral biopsy procedure, including handling of specimens and referral to specialists.

Keywords

• oral cancer
• oral pathology
• precancerous condition