TY - JOUR

T1 - A qualitative study examining the experience of primary care dentists in the detection and management of potentially malignant lesions. 1. Factors influencing detection and the decision to refer

AU - Brocklehurst, P R

AU - Baker, S.R.

AU - Speight, P.M.

PY - 2010/1/23

Y1 - 2010/1/23

N2 - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many oral squamous cell carcinomas present as late stage disease and so the detection of early and pre-malignancy is considered to be of paramount importance. The majority of research examining primary care dentists' experience of the detection and management of early disease has been undertaken using questionnaires, with the inherent bias this introduces. The aim of this study was to use qualitative methods to develop a richer account of practitioners' views about screening and what factors influence the decision to refer a patient.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eighteen dentists in Sheffield, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Ten codes were identified according to the aims of the study and organized into four overarching themes.RESULTS: Although many dentists were screening regularly, some did not appear to be adopting a rigorous and systematic approach. A number of participants also placed more reliance on 'classical' presentations rather than the more varied presentation of potentially malignant lesions and were more influenced by the clinical history of the lesion rather than risk factors.CONCLUSION: Overall, the present research suggests that for some dentists, more rigour is required when examining for early disease.

AB - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many oral squamous cell carcinomas present as late stage disease and so the detection of early and pre-malignancy is considered to be of paramount importance. The majority of research examining primary care dentists' experience of the detection and management of early disease has been undertaken using questionnaires, with the inherent bias this introduces. The aim of this study was to use qualitative methods to develop a richer account of practitioners' views about screening and what factors influence the decision to refer a patient.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eighteen dentists in Sheffield, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Ten codes were identified according to the aims of the study and organized into four overarching themes.RESULTS: Although many dentists were screening regularly, some did not appear to be adopting a rigorous and systematic approach. A number of participants also placed more reliance on 'classical' presentations rather than the more varied presentation of potentially malignant lesions and were more influenced by the clinical history of the lesion rather than risk factors.CONCLUSION: Overall, the present research suggests that for some dentists, more rigour is required when examining for early disease.

KW - Adult

KW - Attitude of Health Personnel

KW - Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

KW - Clinical Competence

KW - Decision Making

KW - Dentist-Patient Relations

KW - Early Detection of Cancer

KW - Female

KW - General Practice, Dental

KW - Guideline Adherence

KW - Humans

KW - Interviews as Topic

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Mouth Neoplasms

KW - Practice Patterns, Dentists'

KW - Precancerous Conditions

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Referral and Consultation

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.54

DO - 10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.54

M3 - Article

C2 - 20098360

VL - 208

SP - E3; discussion 72-3

JO - British Dental Journal

JF - British Dental Journal

SN - 1476-5373

IS - 2

ER -