Tobacco use among Iranian dental students: a national survey

A national survey was conducted to provide up-to-date data on current and ever use of tobacco among Iranian dental students. All 4th-year students of 8 randomly selected dental schools were surveyed anonymously in December 2010 using the Global Health Professions Student Survey questionnaire. Of 325 participants, 54.2% were ever users of tobacco products [73.0% of males versus 44.4% of females]; 50.8% had used waterpipes, 34.2% cigarettes and 9.3% other products. The most common age at first use was 20-24 years for both sexes. Current tobacco use was reported by 20.6% of respondents, cigarette smoking by 10.8% and waterpipe smoking by 15.8%. Regression models showed that current cigarette and waterpipe smoking were significantly associated with male sex but not with type of dental school [state/private]. Current waterpipe smoking was also associated with age at first experience. In view of the important role of dentists in tobacco control, the prevention of tobacco use should be stressed among Iranian dental students

Dental curriculum revision in Iran: dentists' perspective on achievement of essential competencies through national curriculum

Based on the current emphasis on competency-based education, as a part of need assessment phase of dental curriculum revision in Iran, in the present study the dental graduates' perspective concerning the minimum competency requirements for an Iranian general dentist has been investigated. Based on the three available major competency documents in the literature a questionnaire was developed in which the participants were asked to indicate their opinion about the necessity of each of the 142 stated competencies for an Iranian general dentist [Yes/No], and to state the degree to which they believed the current curriculum covers each competency [Completely, Partially, Not at all]. In an annual meeting in June 2008, the provincial chief dental managers were asked to distribute the questionnaires among general dentists in their province [10 questionnaires in each province]. The managers posted back the completed questionnaires to the researchers. Of 300 questionnaires distributed in the 30 provinces of the country, 250 questionnaires [83%] were returned. While most of the participants considered the competencies as necessary for an Iranian dentist, less than 40% of the respondents believed that the graduates acquire the most required competencies of the profession during the current educational program. A necessity exists for curriculum revision. In addition to clinical skills, in this revision more emphasis also should be placed on the non-clinical part of the curriculum

[Attitudes towards oral health behavior among students of dental schools in Tehran]

Effectiveness of oral health promotion programs requires presence of knowledgeable and prevention-oriented dental workforce. The aim of the present study was to investigate attitudes of dental students and its determinants in Tehran towards prevention based on Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory [HU-DBI] questionnaire. A Farsi version of HU-DBI questionnaire was prepared, validated and administered to the pre-clinical and clinical students of three dental schools located in Tehran. Chi-square test and logistic regression model served for statistical analysis. In this cross-sectional study, two-hundred students participated. Women were less likely to agree with the statements "I have noticed some white sticky deposits on my teeth", and "I think I can clean my teeth well without using toothpaste" [P=0.04 and P=0.06, respectively], and more likely to agree with "I think that I cannot help having false teeth when I am old" compared to men [P=0.015]. Differences related to the students' schools also existed in the students' reactions to the items "I have used a dye to see how clean my teeth are" and "I use a toothbrush which has hard bristles". Differences related to the students' study year were also found in their attitudes towards prevention. Dental students' prevention-oriented attitudes seem to be associated with their gender and study year. More emphasis should be placed on prevention in Iranian dental curriculum to overcome those differences in the students' attitudes which are related to background and academic characteristics

Smoking and its determinants among Iranian dental students

The objective of the present study was to investigate smoking habits of Iranian dental students in relation to their background characteristics and oral self-care [OSC]. A survey in the form of a questionnaire was conducted of 327 senior dental students in seven randomly selected state dental schools in Iran. In addition to smoking habits and background characteristics, the students were asked about OSC. A recommended level of OSC was defined as a combination of brushing at least twice a day, frequent use of fluoridated toothpaste, and eating sugary snacks less than daily. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. A total of 263 students [113 males and 150 females] completely answered the questions and were included in the analyses. Of the 263 students, 59 [23%, 37 males and 22 females] reported current smoking [cigarette, pipe, or water pipe]. Current smoking was associated with male gender [OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.4-5.6], level of father's education [OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.1-1.8], and OSC [OR=4.4, 95% CI=1.3-14.9]. Smoking among Iranian dental students is similar to their socioeconomic group, and is associated with the characteristics of their background, such as gender and father's level of education, as well as the quality of OSC. The results indicate a need to include smoking cessation education and public health activities in the dental curriculum to provide future health care professionals and role models for patients with adequate training in up-to-date patient management to control smoking

Study motives and career choices of iranian dental students

To investigate the study motives and career choices of Iranian senior dental students in relation to their background factors. During the spring term 2005, a questionnaire survey was administered to 327 senior dental students in seven randomly selected state dental schools in Iran. The questionnaire requested information on age, gender, parents' employment in dentistry, previous education and employment in dental hygiene, study motives, and career choices. Statistical analyses were made using independent sample t test, factor analysis, and binary logistic regression model. Based on the factor analysis, which explained 73% of the total variance, five motive dimensions were identified: altruism and intellectual challenges, characteristics of the profession, social status and security, other person's recommendation, and failure to be admitted to other study programmes. The mean for the 'characteristics of the profession' dimension was lower among the students with at least one parent employed in dentistry [p = 0.03]. The 'altruism and intellectual challenges' dimension was reported to be more influential by the students with background in dental hygiene [32 students] compared to the others [p < 0.001]. Engaging in postgraduate studies was the first career preference of 189 [70%] of the respondents. Those with a background in dental hygiene were less inclined to enter postgraduate courses [p < 0.001], but more eager to be employed in either the public or the private sector [p < 0.001], and to enter the community oral health and research field [p < 0.001] than the others. Personal characteristics and motives of the students play a major role in shaping their career preferences