Knowledge, Confidence, and Perceptions of Oral Cancer Screening Among Rural and Metropolitan Australian General Dental Practitioners: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Background Oral cancer is a significant public health concern, with disproportionately higher incidence and mortality in rural, regional, and remote Australia. General dental practitioners (GDPs), as frontline providers, are critical to early detection through routine screening. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of surveying GDPs' knowledge, confidence, and perceptions of oral cancer screening, with a focus on rural–metropolitan differences to identify gaps and guide targeted interventions. Methods A cross‐sectional online pilot survey was distributed to GDPs across Australia (Ethics approval: HEC24419). The survey collected sociodemographic data, current oral cancer screening practices, knowledge of risk factors and pathology, self‐assessed confidence in screening, and perceptions of screening practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non‐parametric exploratory analyses. Results Of 20 respondents, 18 met the inclusion criteria. Most practitioners reported routine or risk‐based screening, however, gaps were identified in patient education, recognition of less common oral potentially malignant disorders, and confidence, particularly for extra‐oral examinations. Exploratory analyses did not detect statistically significant differences between rural and metropolitan practitioners ( p > 0.05). Conclusion This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing Australian GDPs' preparedness for oral cancer screening using an online survey. Although findings are exploratory, they highlight important knowledge and confidence gaps with implications for undergraduate education and continuing professional development. The results provide essential groundwork for a future, adequately powered national study aimed at strengthening early detection capacity and reducing diagnostic delays. Clinical Relevance GDPs are often the first point of contact for patients and play a key role in early detection of oral cancer. Recognising oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) during routine dental exams is essential to prevent malignant transformation. This study identifies gaps in practitioners' knowledge and confidence in identifying OPMDs, underscoring the need for targeted continuing education and training. Enhancing practitioner competence in early recognition can improve patient outcomes, facilitate timely referrals, and help reduce the burden of oral cancer in the community.