Wiener R C, Patel J S. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer screening and tobacco cessation discussions, NHANES 2011-2018. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2023; DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12921.

There is an increased need for OOPC screening and the discussion of tobacco use by dental professionals among their patients who use tobacco, particularly for female patients.

Tobacco cessation discussions and oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer (OOPC) screenings are important factors in decreasing the risk of OOPC or its late-stage diagnosis. This study aimed to determine if there is an association of sex with tobacco cessation discussions and OOPC screenings conducted by dental healthcare professionals. Data from 8 years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018) were merged. Data from participants, ages 30 years and above, who self-reported current use of tobacco, a dental visit within the previous year and responded to questions about oral cancer screening were analysed. There were 22% who had an OOPC screening by a dental professional within the previous year. Of the 41% who reported having had a conversation with a dental professional within the previous year about the benefits of tobacco cessation, 10% reported having both the conversation and OOPC screening. Men were less likely than women to have the combination of neither OOPC screening nor advice about tobacco cessation.