Potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer in a region of northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Aim: To verify the knowledge about OPMDs and OC, as well as the prevalence of such conditions on the sertaneja population of the State. Methods: The cross-sectional, analytical, population-based study with a quantitative approach involved a population assigned to a USF. The sample was obtained through systematic random sampling by households, reaching a total of 205 participants. In addition to the structured questionnaire, an intraoral physical examination was performed for data collection. Results: OPMDs were identified in 16.6% of the examined participants. Leukoplakia was the most frequent OPMD with 11.7% of cases. The most common skin type associated with OPMDs was leucoderma (56.2%). It was also observed that participants who self-declared their oral health as negative (71.4%) had a higher incidence of OPMDs, as well as those who did not know the signs and symptoms of OPMDs and oral cancer (100%) and those who did not receive guidance from the professionals of the oral health team (100%). Conclusion: The population of the present study had a high prevalence of OPMDs. Having a negative self-assessment of oral health, not knowing the signs and symptoms for OPMDs and OC, as well as not receiving guidance from Primary Care professionals were predisposing factors for the onset of OPMD among the participants.