A survey of alcohol and drug use among UK based dental undergraduates

Abstract

cause for concern in the profession. This concern is now being felt at the undergraduate level, with the new GDC guidelines stating:Behaviour Prior to this study, no significant information existed on the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among UK dental undergraduates. This information is needed before the current concerns can be addressed, and will provide a basis for future research and education. MethodA survey was conducted at one UK dental school of all undergraduates studying in years 1 to 5 (n=264). A self-report questionnaire was distributed, by the organiser, to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students before scheduled lectures. Absentees, 1st and 5th year students were contacted via internal mail.The questionnaire consisted of 4 sides of A4 text on a folded A3 sheet, the cover page acting as a participant information sheet.Questions were asked in closed ended format in standard English making them easily answered, scored and coded (for analysis by computer). The length of the questionnaire was kept as short as feasible allowing completion in less than 5 minutes. Participants were provided with a free pen to act as an incentive and increase anonymity. Return of completed questionnaires was via a self-seal envelope labelled with the organiser's name. In addition the label gave the location of a sealed respondents' box.The questionnaire was administered over a 2 week period from the 25th May 1998 to the 5th June 1998, avoiding Dental Student Society social events or examination periods, which may not have represented an average week. Prior to distribution, the questionnaire was piloted on 25 medical students, 5 from each year. This highlighted only minor problems that were then corrected before full-scale administration.Anonymity of participants was essential and, therefore, no name or ethnic group was requested, also no individual questionnaire or year group responses were reported. It was stressed that completion of the questionnaire was voluntary, with no obligation to respond. Confidentiality was strictly maintained with all completed questionnaires being seen exclusively by the survey organiser.The response rate was high, with 200 undergraduates completing the questionnaire, one respondent who omitted their gender and year was not included in the study. Ethical approvalEthical approval was granted by the local research ethics committee. RESEARCH law and ethicsA survey of alcohol and drug use among UK based dental undergraduates B. Underwood 1 and K. Fox Objective This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use. Design Anonymous self-report questionnaire Setting A UK dental school in May 1998 Subjects and methods 1st-5th year dental undergraduates (n=264) were questioned on their use of alcohol and tobacco, cannabis and other illicit drugs whilst at dental school, and before entry. Results Eighty two per cent of male and 90% of female undergraduates reported drinking alcohol. Of those drinking, 63% of males and 42% of females drank in excess of sensible weekly limits (14 units fo...

A comparison of alcohol and drug use among dental undergraduates and a group of non-medical, professional undergraduates

“…Twenty-seven per cent and 34% of dental and law students respectively reported to binge drink more than once a week. As suggested in previous studies, 6 dental student binge drinking may be explained by the fact that they may have to limit their alcohol intake to one or two nights a week due to weekday clinical commitments. However, law students do not have clinical commitments, which suggests there may be other reasons for binge drinking.…”

“…These guidelines were also adopted in previous studies, 6,7 rather than the more lenient Department of Health guidelines. 21 There is no consensus on a definition for binge drinking.…”

“…This is slightly lower than other studies. 6,7 The difference between the two groups of students may be due to the serious legal and ethical consequences of dental students using cannabis, but may also be due to the fact that more law students currently smoke tobacco, as inhaling cannabis by smoking is understood to be the most common way of taking the drug. Even though fewer dental risk' drinkers' current drug use was 50% for cannabis, 20% for ecstasy, 20% for amphetamines and 10% for other Class B and C drugs.…”

“…These results were generally comparable to, or less than previous studies. 1,2,6,7 Four per cent of dental students admitted to being current users of ecstasy, compared to only 1.6% of law students. The consequences of being caught using illegal drugs are extremely serious, both legally, with the potential for imprisonment, and professionally, with the potential for being struck off, or refused admission to the dental register.…”

The changing patterns of drinking, illicit drug use, stress, anxiety and depression in dental students in a UK dental school: a longitudinal study

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] A recent cross-sectional study of dental students in the UK reported excessive alcohol consumption and illicit drug use among dental students; 10 of those drinking, 63% of males and 42% of females drank in excess of sensible weekly limits (<14 units for females, <21 units for males), 14 with 56% of males and 58.5% of females classified as 'binge drinking' . Fifty five per cent of the students reported cannabis use at least once or twice since starting dental school, with 8% of males and 6% of females reporting current regular use at least once a week.…”