Oral cancer: Analysis of the dental surgeon approach of the Family Health Strategy in Rio Grande do Norte
Oral Cancer, Primary Health Care, Dentists
Deaths from mouth cancers rank 16th among all cancers worldwide. Because it is the oral cavity of the dental surgeon (CD), it is his responsibility to diagnose the malignant lesions early. This study aims to analyze the approach of the CD against oral cancer, verifying their knowledge about the theme, the offer of training in the theme and the actions taken in front of oral lesions in primary care. To do so, a questionnaire sent by e-mail to the professionals of the family health strategy was applied, using the database of the Regional Council of Dentistry of Rio Grande do Norte. Basic care CDs have knowledge about oral cancer (85%) and most of them are directed towards prevention of the disease (66.8%); however, around 70% of professionals report not being able to biopsies or exfoliative cytologies, and on average only 13% of the Health Units have the necessary conditions to perform these procedures. In addition, the services do not offer refresher courses on oral cancer. The implementation of strategies aimed at the active search for lesions and the accomplishment of diagnostic procedures in primary care may contribute to the early diagnosis of the disease in order to reduce the mortality rate due to oral cancer.