BackgroundOral diseases rank among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in modern societies. In Germany, oral epidemiological data show that both dental caries and periodontal diseases are highly prevalent, though significant improvements in oral health has been taking in the population within the last decades, particularly in children. It is, therefore, the aim of the Fifth German Oral Health Study (DMS V) to actualize the data on current oral health status and to gather information on oral health behavior and risk factors. In addition to current oral health monitoring, the study will also permit conclusions about trends in the development of oral health in Germany between 1989 and 2014.Methods/DesignDMS V is a cross-sectional, multi-center, nationwide representative, socio-epidemiological study to investigate the oral health status und behavior of the German resident population in four age cohorts. Study participants are children (12-year-olds), adults (35- to 44-year-olds), young olds (65- to 74-year-olds), and old olds (75- to 100-year-olds) who are drawn from local residents’ registration offices. Social-science investigation parameters concern subjective perceptions and attitudes regarding oral health and nutrition, sense of coherence, and socio-demographic data. Clinical oral parameters are tooth loss, caries and periodontitis, prosthodontic status, further developmental and acquired dental hard tissue and mucosal lesions. To ensure reproducibility, the dental investigators are trained and calibrated by experts and multiple reliability checks are performed throughout the field phase. Statistical analyses are calculated according to a detailed statistical analysis plan.DiscussionThe DMS studies first performed in 1989, 1992 and repeated in 1997 and 2005 are the only cross-sectional oral health studies conducted in Germany on a population-based national representative level. Updated prevalence and trend analyses of key oral diseases are, therefore, of major epidemiological and health services research interest.Trial registrationGerman Health Services Research Data Bank VfD_DMSV_13_002152

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The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge on diagnostic procedures and risk factors for oral cancer among dentists in Northern Germany by means of a standardized questionnaire. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all dentists in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which was composed of 41 items focusing on knowledge about diagnostic procedures for oral cancer and its main risk factors. Three hundred and six of 2,233 questionnaires were returned and analysed. Most dentists correctly agreed that early detection of oral cancer improves 5-year survival. Knowledge of the facts that oral cancer is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage and that the floor of the mouth is a common site to be affected was higher compared with international data. In contrast, knowledge was lower on the appearance of oral cancer and its symptoms in the early stages. Dentists were less certain about the role of nonrisk factors (e.g. family history) than that of risk factors. Continuous education on oral cancer within the past year was the only background factor that significantly contributed to a better knowledge onrisk-related and diagnostic factors. Profound knowledge about diagnostic procedures and risk factors for oral cancer is essential for dentists. This survey was informative with regard to areas of high versus low knowledge and will help design appropriate continuing education programmes.

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