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

Abstract #65043

Carol Kunzel, PhD, David Albert, DDS, MPH, Evanthia Lalla, DDS, MS, Hong Yin, and Ira B. Lamster, DDS, MMSc. School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, 212-304-7176, ck60@columbia.edu

This study examines the relation of formal and informal sources of information with dentists' perceived ability to perform tobacco control in the dental office. Formal sources of information include number of dental courses taken, hours spent reading professional journals, and presence of postgraduate general practice education (GPR/AEGD). Informal sources of information include number of faculty appointments, dental consultations, and leadership positions held. Data were collected via mail survey of active general practitioners (GPs) and periodontists in the northeastern USA during the fall of 2002. Responses were received from 208 of 274 eligible dentists (76% response rate). Chi-square analyses were used to examine relationships between information sources and tobacco control opinions. Number of dental courses did not have a statistically significant relationship with office-based knowledge and competence. Nor did number of hours spent reading professional journals, or presence of GPR/AEGD (for GPs). Examining more informal sources of information, dentists with more faculty positions were more likely to feel their knowledge of the association between tobacco use and oral disease was excellent (58% vs.32% p<.05), and that their knowledge of what to include in a smoking cessation message was excellent (21% vs. 7%, p<.05). Those who consulted with dental specialists more often were most likely to rate their knowledge of how best to deliver a smoking cessation message as good (26% vs. 19%, p<.05). Informal sources of information were more associated with dentists' knowledge and confidence regarding ability to deliver office-based tobacco use control than were formal sources. NIDCR grant DE014898.

Learning Objectives:

Those in attendance will learn
• dentists' ratings of their knowledge and competence to perform office-based tobacco control, and 2)which sources of information are associated with dentists' feeling more knowledgable and competent.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Oral Health

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.