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

Tobacco use and diabetes are well-documented risk factors for oral disease. Dentists are called upon to be aware of these two risk factors during patient management. Data analyses reveal significant differences in patient risk assessment/management behaviors between general practice dentists (GPDs) who focus more on the association between oral health and these risk factors in discussions with patients in these risk groups and those who do not. Data were collected via mail survey of GPDs in the northeastern USA during fall 2002 (n=105, rr=80%). Chi-square analyses show that higher percentages of GPDs who focus more on the tobacco use-oral health association always/almost always perform the following activities: record tobacco use information in patients' charts (64% GPDs who focus more vs. 18% who focus less), ask new patients who smoke if they are interested in quitting (35% more vs. 3% less), advise patients who use tobacco products to quit (66% more vs. 10% less). In regard to diabetic patients, larger percentages of GPDs who focus more on the diabetes -oral health association often perform the following activities: refer /monitor blood glucose levels (20% GPDs who focus more vs. 7% who focus less), discuss how well controlled the patient is (68% more vs. 37% less), discuss postoperative medications with the patient (83% more vs. 33% less). All differences p<.05. Findings indicate that educational efforts aimed at increasing DDS' active involvement in smoking and diabetes management can benefit from placing an emphasis on the association between oral health and these two risk factors. Supported by R01 DE14898.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Discuss the role of the dentist in smoking cessation counseling.
• Discuss the role of the dentist in managing the diabetic patient.
• Evaluate the extent to which dentists currently carry out the the above roles.
• Identify barriers to performing such roles.
• Assess the role of awareness of the oral -systemic health connection in encouraging dentists to take a more active role in managing the smoking patient and the diabetic patient.

Keywords: Smoking, Diabetes

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.