Tobacco Use and Cessation Counseling among Dental Professionals in Saudi Arabia

Perception of tobacco hazards on general and periodontal health and tobacco cessation counseling among dental students

INTRODUCTION

Tobacco use is one of the leading worldwide health risk factors and a primary cause of premature death and disability. Tobacco cessation programs might work well if provided by all healthcare providers. This study aimed to evaluate dental students' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices towards tobacco hazards on general and periodontal health and tobacco cessation councling.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students who were in their clinical years (the fourth, fifth and sixth year of study), in Saudia Arabia in 2022. A self-administered questionnaire derived from the TCC questionnaire survey was carried out among 315 dental students. Knowledge was considered poor if correct answers were below the median value. Attitude was on a five-point Likert scale. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The study revealed that about 52% have poor knowledge, 64% have negative attitudes, 69% have negative beliefs, and 44% poor practice. All these ratings were below median values. It also showed that younger dental students were 2 times more likely to have poor knowledge (AOR=1.97; 95% CI: 1.1-3.53) and smokers were less likely to have poor knowledge (AOR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.12-0.95). One third of students perceived patient resistance as a barrier to TCC while 50% reported lack of knowledge, 32% lack of time, and 24% lack of materials.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings urge the inclusion of programs to encourage dental students to help patients quit tobacco use and to make educational material available to them.

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF IRANIAN DENTAL STUDENTS ABOUT SMOKING CESSATION COUNSELING

Introduction and Aims

Today, smoking is recognized as the biggest cause of preventable premature death. dentists can play a very important role in motivating and providing smoking cessation counseling and play this role of line requires gaining sufficient knowledge and education during the student period. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge and attitude of dental students in Kerman in the field of smoking cessation counseling.

Methods and materials

This study was descriptive-analytical and crosssectional. The study population was fourth, fifth and sixth year dental students. A questionnaire was used to assess participants knowledge and attitude towards smoking cessation, using the 5 As of smoking cessation. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 21, t-test and chi-square software.

Results

This study showed that the mean score of students' knowledge was 2.13 ± 14.12. There was a significant relationship between knowledge score, gender (women more than men) and the presence of a smoker in the family (P = 0.01, 0.001, respectively). Also, the mean attitude score was 36.25 41 5.41. There was a significant relationship between attitude score, gender (women more than men) and the presence of a smoker in the family (P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

Results of this study showed that the students have good knowledge of the 5As (Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, Arrange) but that they did not have much information about some parameters under Assess. Also, they have a positive attitude in this regard. Moreover, students believed that time limitations in dental visits and concerns on the effectiveness of smoking cessation consultations are the major obstacle in implementing a smoking cessation plan.