Background and purpose: Accurate diagnosis of suspicious oral lesions is made by appropriate sampling and pathology examinations. Inappropriate biopsy can lead to diagnostic errors in histopathological examination of samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of general dentists in Sari, Iran and final-year dental students in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences on transport and processing of oral biopsies.

Materials and methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in 150 dentists and final-year dental students, 2015. Data was obtained using a researcher made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and questions on transport and processing of oral biopsies. Data analysis was done in SPSS V.17 applying t-test, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results: The questionnaires were completed by 150 people, including 106 dentists (50% males and 50% females, mean age: 39.9±6.2) and 44 final-year dental students (50% males and 50% females, mean age: 24.6±2.6). No significant difference was found between dentists and dentistry students in levels of awareness (54.4% and 55.1%, respectively, P=0.862). Attending retraining courses of oral pathology showed significant positive correlation with the level of awareness (P=0.017, r=0.219).

Conclusion: The knowledge of dentists and dental students on transport and processing of oral biopsies was poor, therefore, retraining programs are needed to enhance this knowledge.