Perspectives of Dentists on Smoking Cessation in Hong Kong

Objective: To assess the views of dentists in conducting smoking cessation counselling in dental practices in Hong Kong. Methods: A mailed questionnaire survey was conducted on a random sample of 484 Hong Kong dentists. Information on belief, attitudes and confidence of the dentists' roles towards smoking cessation counselling; current practices and perceived barriers in conducting smoking cessation counselling; and personal information of the dentists were collected. Results: 211 dentists completed the questionnaires (response rate: 50.2%). Most of the surveyed dentists had positive attitudes on the necessity of guidelines for dentists in conducting smoking cessation counselling. More than half of the surveyed dentists (55.0%) asked and recorded the patients' smoking status routinely in their practices. The top three barriers perceived by the dentists were: “lack of patients' motivation” (85.6%), “lack of time in consultation” (73.5%) and “lack of smoking cessation protocols and guidelines” (68.1%). Dentists who were females, younger, had fewer years of practice, graduated in Hong Kong or practiced in non-private hospitals/clinics were more likely to ask and record the patients' smoking status (p<0.05). For those surveyed dentists who had a more positive view on belief, attitudes and confidence of the dentists' roles towards smoking cessation counselling, they were more readily to carry out smoking cessation counselling activities (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dentists in Hong Kong had positive belief and attitudes but inadequate confidence towards their roles in smoking cessation counselling. Smoking cessation counselling activities were not actively carried out by dentists in Hong Kong.