Level of awareness of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders among medical and dental undergraduates

The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and oral cancer among medical and dental students of the University of Peradeniya. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used among 1006 students. Majority were medical students (74.3%), females (60.5%), and in the second year (25.2%). About 54% of respondents had poor knowledge. Dental students had a significantly higher knowledge and female students showed greater awareness. About 90% of medical students had never examined a patient with OPMD, and 79.5% of them had not examined one with oral cancer. Medical undergraduates must receive adequate education about OPMD and cancer.