The aim of this study was to investigate compliance with recommended tobacco cessation practice guideline in dental setting.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, stratified sampling was used and descriptive statistics, percentages, and frequencies were computed for all study variables. The contents of the primarily structured questionnaire were designed based on the US clinical practice guideline on tobacco cessation program and the preliminary research and its psychometric properties were evaluated in terms of face and content validity. The reliability coefficient (Cronbach alpha) of the questionnaire was assessed through test-retest on a group of 25 dentists and students.
Results:
The majority of the respondents from both groups were aware of the tobacco’s effect on oral health. Surprisingly, a significant proportion of dentists and senior dental students said they did not have a training program in tobacco cessation program. The students preferred more to be actively involved in asking and advising and assessing patients to quit than in assisting and arranging; however, dentists were far more likely to ask patients about smoking than to provide actual cessation support. An overwhelming majority had positive attitudes toward tobacco cessation program, but also identified of major barriers to adherence.
Conclusions:
Compliance with the guideline is not sufficient at present. The findings point to significant receptivity on the part of dentists and dental students to engaging in tobacco cessation counseling and also to a number of barriers that could be addressed through provision of training and resources