Oral cancer exams among cigarette smokers in Maryland

Background: Current and former smokers are at increased risk to develop oral cancer. This analysis was performed to determine whether current and former smokers are more likely to undergo an exam for oral cancer than non-smokers. Methods: The Maryland Cancer Survey performed in 2002 was a population-based random digit dial, statewide survey on cancer screening and risk behaviors, targeting adults aged 40 years and older. The dataset contains self-reported information on oral cancer examinations, current smoking status, and health care access information for 4840 Maryland residents. Results: 2062 (42.6%) of Marylanders aged 40 years and older reported ever having had an oral cancer examination. Dentists and dental hygienists performed 90.9% of the exams. Current and former smokers were no more likely than those who have never smoked to have ever had the examination (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.85–1.23 and OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.94–1.25, respectively). Other predictors associated with having an oral cancer exam included having more than a high school of education, being female, non-black, being in good to excellent health, and having a recent physical exam. Having visited the dentist in the last year had the highest odds of having ever had an oral cancer exam. Conclusions: Current and former smokers are a high-risk group who need to be targeted for oral cancer exams by dental professionals and primary care physicians.