Oral cancer and precancer in Oral Pathology and Medicine curricula of Mexican dental schools
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Objective: To identify the teaching-learning process characteristics of Oral Pathology and Medicine (OP&M) related to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC), in the dental schools\%27 curricula in Mexico, to analyze the approach given to this topic worldwide, and to provide the possible solution strategies. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were sent to OP&M deans and professors from public Mexican Universities to explore the curriculum and academic profile of the dental schools. The recommendations gathered from a workshop with expert professors on the challenges in OPMD/OC teaching were reported. Results: Twenty-two dental schools participated (22 deans, 30 professors). The most widely used strategies were clinical-case resolving (86%25) and presentations (73%25). Although 77.3%25 of the programs included maxillofacial lesions, only 40.9%25 contemplated OPMD/OC. Only 45%25 of the programs developed community activities for early OC detection. The workshop recommendations were (i) multidisciplinary approach to OPMD/OC teaching, involving OP&M professors in other dental and nondental courses; (ii) implementation of the most effective teaching techniques (currently, problem-based learning and clinical-case presentation) in OP&M curricula; (iii) education of OP&M professors on teaching-learning processes. Conclusions: These recommendations from the Mexican context, integrated with similar experiences from other countries could contribute to develop a unique, internationally acknowledged OP&M curriculum
