TITLE:
Quality of Care and Oral Biopsy Procedures: Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Dental Practitioners in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Coralie Reine Bertine Mendouga Menye, Francis Daniel Nkolo Tolo, Eric Essame, Eric Nseme Etouckey
KEYWORDS:
Oral Biopsy, Dental Practitioners, Cameroon, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.15 No.6,
June
16,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Biopsy procedures represent an essential diagnostic tool in the management of oral lesions. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental practitioners in Cameroon regarding oral biopsies. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 42 dental practitioners working in Cameroon. Data on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral biopsy procedures were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed with a significance threshold set at p Results: The findings reveal significant gaps in knowledge (mean score of 6.4/10) and practices (37.5% of participants never having performed a biopsy). The main barriers identified were lack of training (71.4%) and inadequate equipment (64.3%). Bivariate analysis showed that professional experience >10 years (p = 0.005), specific training in oral pathology (p = 0.012), and knowledge score ≥ 7/10 (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with performing biopsies. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to improve training in oral pathology and optimize access to resources to enhance the quality of dental care in Cameroon. Targeted interventions including continuing education programs and development of standardized protocols adapted to the local context are recommended.