Florida nurse practitionersÌ attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection

Florida nurse practitionersÌ attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection
Issue online:
26 Nov 2007
Received: May 2006; accepted: March 2007
To cite this article: Xiaoxian Meng DDS, MPH, PhD (Research Associate), R. Paul Duncan PhD (Professor and Chair), Colleen K. Porter MA (Research Program Manager), Qing Li MD, MS (PhD Student), Scott L. Tomar DMD, MPH, DrPH (Professor and Chair) (2007)
Florida nurse practitionersÌ attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 19 (12), 668Ò675.
doi:10.1111/j.1745-7599.2007.00274.x
Blackwell Synergy

Xiaoxian Meng, DDS, MPH, PhD (Research Associate)11 Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, R. Paul Duncan, PhD (Professor and Chair)22 Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, Colleen K. Porter, MA (Research Program Manager)33 Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, Qing Li, MD, MS (PhD Student)44 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, & Scott L. Tomar, DMD, MPH, DrPH (Professor and Chair)55 Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FloridaScott L. Tomar, DMD, MPH, DrPH, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1329 Southwest 16th Street, Room 5180, PO Box 103628, Gainesville, FL 32610-3628.
Tel: 352-273-5968; Fax: 352-273-5985;
E-mail: stomar@dental.ufl.edu

Scott L. Tomar, DMD, MPH, DrPH, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1329 Southwest 16th Street, Room 5180, PO Box 103628, Gainesville, FL 32610-3628.
Tel: 352-273-5968; Fax: 352-273-5985;
E-mail: stomar@dental.ufl.edu

Abstract

Purpose: To examine Florida nurse practitionersÌ (NPsÌ) attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection.

Data source: A statewide mail survey was conducted among Florida NPs who provided primary care. The questionnaire was adapted from an existing survey instrument used to measure NPsÌ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about oral cancer prevention and early detection. A total of 448 Florida NPs (33% response rate) completed the survey.

Conclusions: Florida NPs reportedly were not well prepared for oral cancer prevention and early detection. Although most NPs realized the importance of annual oral cancer screening for high-risk populations and held positive attitudes toward the benefit of early detection, only 39.3% of respondents thought his or her knowledge about oral cancer was current and more than half had never provided oral cancer examinations.

Implications for practice: Florida has among the nationÌs highest oral cancer rates, but persons at highest risk are among those least likely to see a dentist. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach involving all relevant healthcare providers, including NPs, may be more effective than relying only on dentistsÌ efforts in improving survival rates for oral cancer. Strategies are needed to increase the involvement of FloridaÌs NPs in oral cancer detection.

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