The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54039

Kristin A. Zakariasen, DDS¹, Shaziya Haque, Tatyana Dankulich-Huryn, and Fady F. Faddoul, DDS, MSD⁴. (1) Department of Community Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4905, 216-368-6616, kaz3@po.cwru.edu, (2) Department of Restorative Dentistry, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4905

Nearly half of all smokers visit dentists each year, yet evidence suggests that dentists do not take full advantage of this opportunity to promote tobacco cessation. AIM: To improve understanding of dentists’ attitudes toward tobacco cessation promotion in the dental setting. METHODS: General dentists in Ohio who are graduates of CWRU dental school (N=917) were mailed a 64-item survey. Items addressed dentists’ attitudes, practices and barriers related to tobacco cessation promotion. Items were based on U.S. PHS guidelines for brief tobacco cessation interventions. Response rate was 46% (N=415). Respondents reflected dentists nationally in age, gender, and race. RESULTS: 94% of respondents agreed that it is the dental professional’s responsibility to educate patients about the oral health risks of tobacco use. Nearly all agreed that it is within the scope of dental practice to ask patients if they use tobacco (97%) and to advise those who do to quit (89%). Fewer agreed that services such as discussion of specific strategies for stopping (65%) or prescription of nicotine gum (42%) are within the scope of dental practice. Only 59% agreed that tobacco cessation counseling in the dental office can impact patients’ quitting. Patient resistance (69%), concerns about effectiveness (74%), and lack of training (74%) were cited as barriers to cessation promotion. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists believe it is their responsibility to educate patients about tobacco use risks, but have reservations about the effectiveness of cessation promotion efforts and the extent to which cessation services are within the scope of dental practice. Continuing education programs must address these concerns. Improved understanding of patient attitudes is needed.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe attitudes of a sample of general dental practitioners in Ohio toward tobacco cessation promotion in the dental setting.
• To identify the continuing education needs of the sample in relation to tobacco cessation promotion.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.