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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
5182.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #104067

Oral cancer exams in Florida: Perspectives of health professionals and the public

Scott L. Tomar, DMD, DrPH1, Henrietta L. Logan, PhD2, Albert O. Adegbembo, BDS, DDPH, MSc3, Colleen K. Porter4, and R. Paul Duncan, PhD4. (1) Division of Public Health Services and Research, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1600 Archer Road, Box 100404, Gainesville, FL 32610-0404, 352-846-1860, STOMAR@dental.ufl.edu, (2) Division of Public Health Services & Research, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1600 Archer Road, Box 100404, Gainesville, FL 32610-0404, (3) University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1600 Archer Road, Box 100404, Gainesville, FL 32610-0404, (4) Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, P.O. Box 100195, Gainesville, FL 32610-0195

Background: Florida has among the highest incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) in the US, relatively few cases detected at early stages, and significant racial/ethnic disparities in stage at diagnosis and survival. This study examined Florida health care providers' and adults' knowledge, opinions and practices regarding OPC.

Methods: We conducted mail-based surveys of dentists (DDS, n=1145), dental hygienists (RDH, n=931), primary care physicians (MD, n=415) and nurse practitioners (NP, n=448), and a telephone survey of Floridians age 40+ years (n=865).

Results: 97% of DDSs, 86% of RDHs, 76% of MDs, and 50% of NPs felt adequately prepared to provide OPC exams; 88% of DDSs, 82% of RDHs, 32% of MDs, and 17% of NPs reported examining all patients age 40+ years. 23% of Florida adults heard of an OPC exam; after hearing it described, 38% reported ever having an OPC exam and 24% reported an OPC exam within the past 12 months. Recent OPC exams were significantly less common for African Americans (9%) and Hispanics (8%) than for non-Hispanic whites (26%).

Conclusions: Relatively few Floridians reported receiving OPC exams, inconsistent with reports by DDSs and RDHs. OPC exams are infrequently provided by MDs and NPs. Racial/ethnic disparities in stage at diagnosis and survival may be partially due to disparities in OPC exams.

Support: NIH R21DE14416, R01DE16226

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

    Keywords: Cancer Screening, Oral Health

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    The State of Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA