A survey of United States periodontists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to tobacco-cessation interventions.
BACKGROUND
Because of the clear causal relationship between smoking and periodontal disease, and the negative effect of smoking on wound healing, it is of great importance to evaluate the tobacco-cessation interventions provided by periodontal practices. The use of tobacco-cessation interventions in clinical practice can be measured by whether the practitioner uses any of the "5 A's" defined by the 2008 United States Public Health Services Clinical Practice Guideline.


METHODS
Surveys were mailed to 1,000 active members of the American Academy of Periodontology. The surveys assessed the periodontists' demographic information, educational and professional background, knowledge and attitudes about tobacco cessation, and use of interventions in the daily practice of periodontics.


RESULTS
Data were collected from 231 periodontists via a self-administered survey. Most (92%) believed that tobacco cessation is a responsibility of the dental profession. A pattern of declining levels of involvement was seen as the providers moved through the suggested "5 A's" for promoting tobacco cessation. Providers with formal tobacco-cessation training were more likely to perform interventions. The primary perceived barriers to providing tobacco-cessation interventions were low patient acceptance of treatment, lack of time, and lack of training.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate that periodontists believe that tobacco-cessation interventions are a responsibility of the dental profession; however, because of several perceived barriers, reported rates of comprehensive tobacco interventions in periodontal practices are low.
Patel
Amit M
AM
Department of Periodontics and Allied Dental Programs, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3268, USA.
Blanchard
Steven B
SB
Christen
Arden G
AG
Bandy
Robert W
RW
Romito
Laura M
LM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010517:Periodontics; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States