RESUMO
Cigarettes and alternative tobacco products cause various oral health issues ranging from minor tooth decay/gum-diseases to oral cancer. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), over 40% of adult cigarette smokers have untreated tooth decay which later leads to severe oral health problems. The present study intended to assess the impact of dentists' perceived risk of smoking tobacco products on their attitude and practice toward tobacco cessation advice. It was a cross-sectional study to collect data on the perception of dentists who are smokers, regarding smoking-related health risks. Dentists' attitude was measured using a questionnaire with a 5-point rating scale and a practice list of items with a 3-point rating scale. Descriptive/inferential techniques were applied, and a significance level was fixed at 5%. Among the 31 tobacco users, 80.6% of dentists perceived severe risk with cigarette use as compared to alternative tobacco products (71%). Positive attitude and good practice were observed among those who perceived severe risk; however, no statistical significance was observed (p-value >0.05). Young dentists, males, Arab nationals, highly educated and specialists had a positive attitude toward smoking cessation activities. Among the smokers, dentists recognize their role and responsibility very seriously in building a smoke-free community, but their risk perception and good attitude did not positively reflect on their clinical practice in smoking cessation programs. Though the dentists had a better perception and attitude towards smoking cessation, their clinical practice in offering advising sessions is inversely related to their perception/attitude.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Tobacco use has profound health consequences globally. Dentists with positive attitudes towards tobacco cessation counselling show minimal involvement in practice. AIMS: To assess the attitude and practice of dentists in the Northern United Arab Emirates towards tobacco cessation advice. METHODS: An interviewer-administered, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 250 dentists practicing in the Northern Emirates in 2015. Statistical analysis was performed with the χ2 test and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Around 88% of dentists exhibited good attitudes but only 37% had good practice of providing tobacco cessation advice to their patients. Nationality, level of education, total duration of practice and personal use of tobacco were significantly associated with attitude towards tobacco cessation. Nonusers of tobacco showed an odds ratio of 3.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-8.20) towards good attitude. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the surveyed dentists had a good attitude towards provision of tobacco cessation advice, but comparatively suboptimal practice was observed. We recommend providing training to the dentists on the methods and techniques of tobacco cessation.
