Background:

The knowledge level about premalignant lesions in the geriatric population is a significant factor that influences on prevention, avoiding progression into mouth neoplasms.

Objective:

To diagnose the knowledge level in geriatric patients about buccal premalignant lesions.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted between September 2019 and June 2021 at the Family Medical Office # 12 of Cabaiguán municipality, Sancti Spíritus province. The population was constituted by 158 geriatric patients and by means of a simple random probabilistic sampling, the sample was made up by 80. Theoretical, empirical, statistical and mathematical methods were applied. The used variables were age, sex, schooling, risk factors and clinical signs knowledge, knowledge of buccal self-examination and conduct to be followed.

Results:

The knowledge level about risk factors was found to be regular and on clinical signs and form and frequency of buccal self-examination was bad. The majority of the sample under study knew where to go and affirmed that they had received information about it.

Conclusions:

Mostly the knowledge level of premalignant lesions was observed to be regular to bad with a significant decrease in the knowledge level in more elderly patients.

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