AWARENESS ON MANAGEMENT OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm affecting the oral cavity. The risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma is mostly the use of tobacco and alcohol. Early detection and prevention of the diseases including cancer correlates with better prognosis of the disease and hence increases the survival rates. Thus it is essential for the health care practitioners to have good basic knowledge. Our study aims at assessing the awareness on management of oral squamous cell carcinoma among dental students. An awareness based survey was conducted in January 2020 among dental students (Third years, Final years, Interns). It was an online questionnaire based study, conducted to assess the awareness on the management of squamous cell carcinoma. 150 dental students participated in this study. The data collection was done via google forms. In our study 31.33% of interns 18% of final years and 14% of third years knew the treatment options available for SCC, 30% of interns, 22,67% of third years and only 6% of final years were aware of targeted drug therapy, also 29.33% of interns, 18% of final years and 18% third years felt that surgery was the only treatment option for SCC and 30.67% of interns, 18.67% of final years and only 1.33% of third years know the chemotherapy drug to treat SCC.30% of interns and 28% of final years were aware of etiological factors of SCC whereas 30% of third years weren’t. Chi square test shows p<0.05, significant. Thus the results depict that Interns had a good awareness on management of squamous cell carcinoma when compared to the final and third years.