Abstract :

    Background and Aim: In rural areas of Iran, Family physicians are the primary care professionals in whom patients seek treatment for their medical issues as well as oral lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate medical students' skill in diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal lesions. In Ahvaz Jondishapoor university of medical sciences in 2012.

  Materials and Methods : This descriptive study was conducted on Eighty medical interns that selected and asked to complete the study questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions validated by using other similar valid studies. Five experts in the field of oral disease assessed the reliability of the questionnaire. Data were was analyzed using SPSS software.

  Results: 42.5% of interns were male and 57.5 % were female ranging from24 to 26 years of age. The mean score for diagnostic skills was 3.97 ± 0.25 in male interns and 3.83 ± 0.16 in female participants. The mean score for skills relating to treatment approach in male and female interns was 1.94 ± 0.17 and 1.96±0.13 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the male and female subjects in terms of qualities such as diagnostic skills or treatment approach pertaining to oral diseases. (p = 0. 23)

  Conclusion : Medical students do not possess proper knowledge and skills required for treatment of patients with oral mucosal lesions. Therefore, proper educational proceedings pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases should be considered for medical students. Educational authorities also need to be informed in this regard.