The role of Pakistani dentists in tobacco cessation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess Pakistani dentists' ability, willingness and perceived barriers to carry out tobacco cessation activities for their patients in the dental office. The study is limited to the smoking form of tobacco use.


METHODS
Using a structured questionnaire for a cross sectional study, 239 full time or part time practising licensed dentists based in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were recruited by two sampling techniques; convenience and cluster sampling. Participation rate was 66.2%.


RESULTS
Based on the characteristics, the study population is assumed representative of the average Pakistani dentist. Prevalence of smoking amongst dentists was 20.3%. Only one-third rated their knowledge and ability regarding tobacco cessation messages as good/excellent. The majority of the dentists considered tobacco cessation activity as peripheral to their profession. The main barrier to performing tobacco cessation interventions was cited as gender.


CONCLUSIONS
Dentists exhibit a superficial approach to delivery of smoking cessation care. It is recommended that dentists be trained in delivering effective tobacco dependence intervention, using the WHO/FDI advocacy guide for oral health professionals, modified to incorporate gender oriented culturally sensitive doctor-patient interaction. Tobacco cessation clinics should also be set up in private and public sectors to augment the dentists' participation.
Mumtaz
Rubina
R
Community Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Khan
Ayyaz Ali
AA
Moeen
Faisal
F
Noor
Nouman
N
Humayun
Sadaf
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004497:Education, Dental; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011331:Private Practice; D011364:Professional Practice; D024382:Professional Role; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists