Using the Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Design to Investigate Dental Patients’ Perceptions and Needs Concerning Oral Cancer Information, Examination, Prevention and Behavior

Mohammed Jafer, Rik Crutzen, Abdalla Ibrahim, Ibtisam Moafa, Haitham Zaylaee, Mohammad Ajeely, Bart van den Borne, Alessio Zanza, Luca Testarelli and Shankargouda Patil
Additional contact information
Mohammed Jafer: Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
Rik Crutzen: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Abdalla Ibrahim: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Ibtisam Moafa: Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
Haitham Zaylaee: Faculty of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Ajeely: Faculty of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
Bart van den Borne: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University/CAPHRI, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Alessio Zanza: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Luca Testarelli: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Shankargouda Patil: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate dental patients’ behavior, thoughts, opinions and needs for oral cancer information, and dentists’ behavior regarding prevention and examination of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for forty dental patients of both sexes. Based on the qualitative analysis, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among the participants. Data were analyzed for 315 participants to quantify their thoughts, needs, behavior and behavior expected from dentists regarding oral cancer. Frequency, percentages and cumulative percentages were calculated. Results: This study reveals that patients’ oral cancer knowledge levels were adequate, but most reported that their dentist had never examined them for oral cancer. Additionally, the participants had never performed self-examinations for oral cancer, nor were they aware of the possibility of doing so. Participants showed a preference for being examined and educated by their dentist about oral cancer and believed it would help early detection. Conclusions: The study participants are aware of oral cancer and its risk factors. The practice of oral cancer examinations and patient education of its risk factors by dental practitioners is limited. Patients feel a need for more attention to be paid to oral cancer examinations, preventive measures and targeted information on oral cancer risk factors.

Keywords: early detection; mixed methods design; oral cancer; patient education; qualitative study; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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