Factors affecting the receipt of tobacco counseling during dentist and doctor visits. results from the 2012 Florida youth tobacco survey

Purpose: To determine and compare factors associated with receiving tobacco counseling at the dentist's office or doctor's office among Florida's youth in the past 12 months. Methods: In this secondary data analysis study, we used the 2012 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) that collects data from Florida middle and high school students (N=75,550). Frequencies for demographic variables such as: age, gender, ethnicity, race, type of housing, school grade, and smoking status were computed. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to test demographic variables against the main outcome variables “Dental office counseling”, and “Doctor office counseling” (Yes/No). Multivariate logistic regression analysis predicting receiving tobacco counseling at the dentist or doctor's office was performed. Results: Females were less likely than males to receive counseling both at the dentist and doctor's office (P<0.05). Students from all grades were more likely to receive counseling both at the dentist and doctor's office compared to 12 graders (P<0.05). Asians were less likely to receive counseling at the dentist and the doctor's office compared to whites (P<0.05). Established smokers were 1.8 and 1.6 times more likely to receive counseling at the dentist and doctor's office respectively, compared to non-smokers. Conclusion: Smoking status of Florida youth strongly predicts dental and doctor's office tobacco counseling. Twelve graders were the least likely to receive counseling among all school grades. Factors associated with this low counseling rate should be further investigated.