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

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.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Healthcare, 2026 · DOI ↗