Cairo (67) E-mail: hph_cdj@yahoo.com . INTRODUCTION Oral cancer is the 8th most common cancer in the world (1) Approximately 419,000 new oral can- cer cases diagnosed annually worldwide (2) .. In Saudi Arabia, oral cancer is the 3 rd most common cause of malignancy after lymphoma and leukemia (3) . Oral cancer often has a survival rate of 50% or less and this is considered to be one of the lowest five year survival rates among the major types of cancer (4) . Oral and pharyngeal cancers are among the most Cairo Dental Journal (30) Number (1), 1:17 January, 2014 KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING ORAL CANCER AMONG DENTISTS IN JEDDAH Somaia M.K.Eltelety (1) , Mona H.A.Hassan (2) , Fatema El Kassimi (3) , Nadeen El qahatani (3) , Nada Mohamed (3) 1. Professor of Dental Public Health and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry King Abudlaziz University, Jeddah, KSA, and Mansoura University Egypt 2. Professor of Biostatistis,Faculty of Dentistry, King Abudlaziz University, Jeddah, KSA and High institute of Public health Alexandria Egypt. 3. BDs Internship Faculty of Dentistry King Abudlaziz University , Jeddah KSA . ABSTRACT Oral and pharyngeal cancers are largely preventable and can be successfully treated when diagnosed at an early stage. Dentists are usually the first group who can examine patients for oral cancer and the early diagnosis highly depends on their knowledge. They have a major responsibility in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer . Accordingly, adequate training in this area will positively enhance dentists accountability towards their patients. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge. attitudes and practices of dentists regarding oral cancer in Jeddah . A total of 39 items questionnaire focusing on the knowledge about diagnostic criteria and risk factors as well as attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer was distributed to a group of dentists (no. 200) in three settings in Jeddah. The results of this study showed that most dentists correctly identified tobacco use (97.4%) and alcohol use(83..%) as risk factors, but fewer correctly identified factors such as the low consumption of fruits and vegetables (39.9%) and sharp edges of broken tooth (39.2%.) as risk factors. Only (27.5%) identified both erythroplakia and leukoplakia, as the conditions most likely associated with oral cancer. Also small percentage correctly identified the tongue (34%) as the most common site for oral cancer. Out of all responding dentists (94.8%) were interested in taking continuing education courses regarding oral cancer. About (92.2%) agreed that oral cancer examination is effective in early detection of the disease and they should be adequately prepared to perform oral cancer examination. Only (18.3%) carry out oral cancer examination for every patient above 40 years because either it takes a long time or they don’t know how to perform it. It appears that the current knowledge and practice in oral cancer prevention and early detection among dentists in Jeddah is not up to the desired level. Accordingly it is suggested that continuous education strategies in Jeddah should be reassessed and emphasis given to oral cancer prevention and early detection.