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Knowledge and Self-Reported Clinical Experience of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders Among Dental Trainees and General Dentists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) may precede oral squamous cell carcinoma, making their timely recognition and referral important. This study assessed OPMD knowledge and self-reported clinical experience among dental trainees and general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 using convenience sampling through institutional networks in Riyadh, Al Majma’ah, and Jazan. Knowledge was summarised as a seven-item score (range 0 to 7) after five ambiguous items were excluded. Associated characteristics were examined using multivariable linear regression with robust standard errors. Results: Of 923 respondents, 921 had complete knowledge data, with a mean score of 3.93 ± 1.82. Leukoplakia was identified as the most common OPMD by 70.7%, whereas only 17.0% recognised the early symptoms of oral submucous fibrosis. Overall, 59.4% reported never having detected a suspicious lesion, 50.1% never having referred a patient, and 78.9% never having performed an oral mucosal biopsy. Male sex and GDP status were associated with higher scores, whereas older age and private-institution affiliation were associated with lower scores (all p < 0.001). After excluding 250 respondents whose training stage was not stated, only the associations with GDP status and age 26 to 30 years remained statistically significant. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, gaps in OPMD knowledge coexisted with limited self-reported clinical experience. These findings indicate associations only, do not establish causality, and may not be generalisable to all dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14203463