204470 Dentists' perceptions of counseling methods of tobacco cessation program in dental settings: A preliminary results on study conducted in Iran

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Arezoo Ebn Ahmady, MSPH, PhD , COH Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad H. Khoshnevisan, DMD, DrPH , COH Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Background: Tobacco is expected to be the single biggest cause of death worldwide by 2030. Currently, there are an estimated 10 Million smokers in Iran. Dentists have a unique opportunity for interaction with patients and substantially increase smoking cessation rates among their patients. This study was designed to investigate the perception of Iranian dentists' with respect to counseling methods of education on tobacco cessation services (TCS) in dental office.

Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methodology was employed in this investigation. A survey questionnaire was conducted in order to collect background information, data on knowledge of counseling methods, tobacco's effect on oral health, and attitudes towards effectiveness of different counseling methods for TCS education. The questionnaire also covered items on concerning dentists' views and their interest in counseling methods of TCS education as well.

In the second phase, 10 focus group interviews were arranged with dentists to uncover their views towards counseling methods of TCS education in greater depth.

Results: A higher score of Asking and Advising practice among the dentists was associated with their knowledge of tobacco's effect on oral health, positive attitude and effectiveness of counseling methods on TCS. Dentists mainly prefer to attend training on counseling methods through a continuing education program. The focus groups indicated the importance of using effective strategies to enhance dentists' knowledge on counseling methods.

Conclusions: Continuing education programs may be useful to increase the awareness and involvement of Iranian dentists towards using TCS counseling methods.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the Iranian dentists’ perceptions with respect to counseling methods education on tobacco cessation services in dental settings.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Counseling

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a faculty member,had international and Regional presentater and the principle investigator and involved in for this research activity.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.