Do smokers attend the dentist?

Objectives: There is a lack of current research, in Australia, describing dental visits of smokers. Tobacco smoking is the main aetiological factor for oral cancer. Evidence has shown that smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer at a later stage of the disease than non-smokers and this may be related to a lack of regular dental visits. The aim of this study was to compare the dental attendance in the previous 12 months of smokers and non-smokers in the adult Australian population and compare common characteristics. Methods: Population-based data as Confidentialised Unit Record Files from the 2004-5 Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey were analysed using appropriate survey weights. Proportions and single associations between variables of interest and dental service attendance were calculated. Chi-squared was calculated to determine the presence of associations. Results: Overall, it was found that only 36.2% of smokers had visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months, compared to 46.3% of non-smokers. Lower dental visits were also associated with being male, living in rural or remote setting, not having private health insurance, lower levels of education achieved, lower levels of physical activity, and lower socioeconomic status. In this study, the proportion of adult smokers who had visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months was only 36.2%, thus significantly lower than non-smokers. Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that oral health policy and promotion activities be encouraged for this group.