Diagnosis of Chronic Oral Ulcer: Knowledge and Practice among Dental Undergraduates in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Koshi Province

Abstract

Background: Chronic oral ulcer is a common complain addressed in dental OPD, associating wide variety of pathologies. The presentation might relate to traumatic exposure, reactive lesion, infectious condition or a malignancy. Diagnosis of chronic oral ulcer requires, comprehensive knowledge and ability to associate various factors evaluated during practice with the list of differentials. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and diagnostic practice of dental undergraduates regarding oral ulcer.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 134 dental students. A validated questionnaire was distributed to all the students from third year till interns. The knowledge was evaluated in the form of mean score whereas the practice skill was categorized in the terms of Likert Five-point scale.

Results: Among 134 participants, 64 were males and 70 were females. The overall mean and median score of knowledge was 15.26 + 2.88 and 15.5 respectively. The score for third years was 15.61 +2.23 which was highest among all. More than 50% of the students practice a standard diagnosing technique for chronic oral ulcer.

Conclusions: The study showed almost half of the students with good level of knowledge in diagnosing chronic oral ulcer and follow a standard practice. Every chronic oral ulcer should be carefully evaluated for oral cancer, without overlooking on to the possibilities for other differential diagnosis. Learner-centered educational approach is the present need for dental education system.