OBJECTIVES: To investigate prevalence & attitudes of dentists towards tobacco smoking and their role in tobacco cessation on patients. To explore other performance associated factors.
METHODS: A pilot tested, self administered cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among dentists practicing in Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Thatta, and Mirpurkhas. The questionnaire consisted of closed ended questions, divided into two sections. First section explored the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and second section explored the attitudes of the respondents towards tobacco cessation.
RESULTS: A total of 209 dentists responded and among them 115 (55%) were males and 94 (45%) were females. Thirty six percent respondents were tobacco smokers, 70% of smoker dentists think that tobacco shouldn't be sold to teenagers, 70% think that Dentist should have a role in counselling, 69% think that tobacco quitting advice would be un-successful if dentists advise them while 62% of the dentists who are smokers think that tobacco cessation therapies should include in dental curriculum. All of the above results were found statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The majority of the dentists in this survey reported positive attitudes toward tobacco cessation activities. However, their positive attitudes are not helping in reducing the consumption of tobacco and incidence of tobacco related diseases.