Australian Dental Students' Views about Smoking Cessation Counseling and Their Skills as Counselors

Abstract

Dental students' low perception of the effectiveness of smoking cessation counseling and the inadequacies of the current evidence-base invite more convincing research about dentists' role in tobacco control and better skills training in response.

Curriculum survey on tobacco education in European dental schools

“…However, teaching of risks from tobacco use in the aetiology of oral cancer was given higher priority (73%) than teaching of smoking cessation counselling (45%). 21 A similar difference was found in our study as 82% of European dental schools reported to provide teaching of biological effects from tobacco use but practical training was reported by only 40% of the schools.…”

Smoking cessation advice: knowledge, attitude and practice among clinical dental students

“…Over 90% of students routinely recorded smoking habits of their patients which is coherent with smoking cessation guidelines for all health professionals. 3,[17][18][19] This practice has not always been reported by UK dentists -only 6% of Scottish dentists always recorded smoking history and 35% never did. 20 There was more variation among students in advising patients to stop smoking.…”

Tobacco Cessation in India: How Can Oral Health Professionals Contribute?

“…As the requirement of dental manpower in a densely populated country like India is very high, it is essential to look at other best avenues available. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that dental students can bridge this gap by actively participating in tobacco cessation activities (Rikard-Bell et al, 2003;Polychonopoulou et al, 2004;Cannick et al, 2006;Rajasundaram et al, 2011).…”

“…Dental students being future of their profession are an inseparable part of initiatives directed towards reducing the ever growing menace of tobacco (Rikard-Bell et al, 2003;Polychonopoulou et al, 2004;Cannick et al, 2006;Vanobbergen et al, 2007;Rajasundaram et al, 2011). Dentists are at a unique position to help their patients quit tobacco.…”