Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perspectives Regarding  Tobacco Cessation Program among Students in Private Dental  Institution at Chennai –A Cross Sectional Study

Authors

S. Shree Lakshmi1 , Pradeep Kumar Rathinavelu2 , I. Meignana Arumugham Indiran3 , D. Srisakthi Doraikannan2 , V. Keerthi Narayan4

Tobacco, Smoking, Dentists, Counseling, Interns, Dental Institutions

Aim: Dentists could play an important role in tobacco cessation counseling. This study is conducted

to assess dental professionals’ understanding of tobacco prevention and control methods. Material and

Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in which a close-ended, self-administered 30

item-questionnaire was distributed among 130 interns at private dental institutions in Chennai. Demographic

data, tobacco use status, attitudes toward cessation programs, perceived barriers and counseling procedure

was filled by the surveyed subjects. Results: About 97.7% of the dental interns agreed their role in

helping patients to quit smoking. Though 82.3% enquired all their patients regarding their smoking status,

86.9% of them feared improper follow up. Nearly 85.4% of the respondents believed that the counseling

done is effective but only 32% anticipated successful intervention and 21% of them were very confident in

conducting it. Conclusion: It was concluded that although dentists were aware of their obligations towards

smoking cessation counseling for patients but certain factors like lack of time, confidence, ,training

,absence of reimbursement and fear of losing patients were the common barriers for the same. Expansion of

armamentarium to include tobacco cessation counseling strategies in clinical practice must be adopted by

all dental professionals.