An observational study in Oral Lichen Planus, Oral Leukoplakia and Erythroplakia, sponsored by Dalarna County Council, Sweden. Terminated at 1 site in Sweden. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-02-16.
Sponsored by Dalarna County Council, Sweden · Observational
Dental health professionals have a responsibility to perform routine intra- and extraoral inspection on their patients for detecting abnormalities. As dental hygienists (DH) and dentist (D) often see their patients on a regular basis, they have the opportunity to provide this screening, and at an early stage detect abnormalities.
In Sweden, education and training in intraoral inspection of the oral mucosa is a part of the curriculum in dental hygienists education, so there is an expectation that the dental hygienist routinely perform tactile and visual intraoral inspections in practice. However, DH are not trained in extra oral inspection and are not allowed to diagnose an oral mucosal lesion, but are trained to identify abnormalities and determine whether the patient needs referral to a dentist. It is also to expect that the DH are capable to identify risk behaviors, such as alcohol and smoking, and recommend, and offer smoking cessation or refer the patient to a certified profession for smoking cessation.
In 2007, The World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a resolution to prevent oral cancer. The resolution urged the member states to ensure that measures against oral cancer was integrated into a national cancer control program by engaging and train dental personnel in screening, early diagnosis and treatment. Oral cancer is a severe oral health issue as it is potentially fatal and is the 5-6 most common tumor with approximately 275,000 cases for oral and 130,300 cases for pharyngeal cancers, excluding nasopharynx, globally. In Sweden,1000 new cases yearly is discovered and it is increasing. The explanation is an aging population and an increase in tonsil and tongue cancers caused by HPV, especially in younger subjects. Tumors caused by tobacco and alcohol are constant [7-9]. Despite the decreasing prevalence of smoking and certain smoking-associated cancers, an increased incidence of tonsillar cancer has been seen in both Finland and Sweden. High risk HPV (hrHPV) oral cancer is also increasing. The 5 year survival of oral cancer in Sweden is 55 % and only 3-4% in advanced cases. The etiology is hrHPV, exposure to tobacco and alcohol in 65% [13] and poor dental status. All are lifestyle factors so there are many opportunities for prevention and intervention. In 2016, 352 individuals in Sweden died in oral cancer compared with 135 individuals who died of cervical cancer. Leukoplakia (LP), erythroplakia (EP) and oral lichen planus (OLP) are the dominating oral premalignant entities. The diagnosis are clinical and often by biopsies. The nonhomogeneous have a risk of malignant transformation of 3.6-8.9% in Scandinavia. OLP is a chronic inflammatory lesion where the atrophic and erosive types have a risk of cancer development of 0.5-2%.
The potential for prevention is high, as the risk factors are well known. The Clinical examination discloses any potentially malignant lesions. Being aware of the increasing number of head, neck, and oral tumors we need to highlight the importance of inspection of the oral mucosa.
142 studies on the registry are indexed under Lichen Planus, Oral; 27 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 70 is close to the median of 75 across 38 observational studies indexed under Lichen Planus, Oral.
Browse Lichen Planus, Oral studies →Dalarna County Council, Sweden is the lead sponsor of 28 studies on the registry; 10 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
All dental hygienists members in the trade union will be offered to participate
Exclusion criteria:
-
all dental hygienists members in the trade union for dental hygienists
Other: questionnaire survey
A web-based questionnaire will be send by the trade union for dental hygienists
Performance of intra and extra oral inspection of the oral mucosa
A 27-item survey instrument using Likert-type and open-ended questions, constructed by dental hygienists and used in Canada, College of dental hygienists Nova Scotia, Canada is used. Frequency and comprehensiveness of intra- and extra-oral inspection is investigated and participants can answer always, usually, sometimes, rarely or never.
Time frame: baseline
Barriers that might prevent dental hygienists from performing intra and oral inspection of the oral mucosa.
From a drop down meny participants get seven alternative barriers; • Someone else in my office performs the exam \[if selected drop down menu options appear: dentist, dental assistant, do not know, other * Lack of knowledge and/or skills to perform the exam * Lack of time * Concern about patient compliance * Concern over remuneration for services * Not sure if it is within the dental hygiene scope of practice * Other
Time frame: baseline
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Feb 2020 to primary completion in Jan 2022, 23 months.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is terminated, as verified in Feb 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Dalarna County Council, Sweden