Evaluation of clinical awareness in undergraduate and postgraduate dental students by persuing their opinions on common oral mucosal lesions through questionnaire

Early detection of Oral mucosal lesions plays a vital role in diagnosing and prevention of many dreadful diseases. Photographs taken with high quality cameras serve good purpose of exposure and helps in explanation of rarely encountered mucosal lesions. These photographs can also be used to assess knowledge of students regarding awareness of mucosal lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate awareness of common oral mucosal lesions in undergraduate, postgraduate students using images. Materials and methodology: A total sample of 200 dental students who are 100 Undergraduate students 100 Postgraduate students were taken. They were supplied with blank answer sheets and a total of 25 slides with clinical pictures with brief history. Each question was projected one by one and students were asked to write their opinions. All the questions were categorized into basic, medium and difficult based on frequency of occurrence. Results: The highest mean score was obtained by post graduates in basic and medium levels and undergraduates had scored in difficult level. On intra group comparison, oral and maxillofacial surgery had scored highest in basic level and oral medicine students had scored highest in rest of categories. Conclusion: Knowledge of oral mucosal lesions was not at satisfied level both in undergraduate and post graduation levels. More emphasis has to be kept on differentiation and diagnosis of different mucosal lesions to ensure higher levels of knowledge in students.