title: Dental patient's knowledge and perceptions about the effects of smoking and role of dentists in smoking cessation activities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the following study is to assess the knowledge of patients about the consequences of smoking on the general and oral health, to analyze the patient's perceptions about the role of dentists in smoking prevention, counseling and cessation and to analyze the willingness of smokers to quit smoking following dentist's advice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was conducted in a sample of 486 dental patients visiting Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluruin the month of August 2011 using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was performed to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients had good knowledge about the effects of smoking on general and oral health. Statistically significant difference was observed in the knowledge of smokers and non-smokers about the effects of smoking on ageing (P = 0.008) and oral cancer (P = 0.0012). Patients had a positive perception about the role of dentists in smoking cessation activities. Smokers exhibited a willingness to quit if suggested by the dentist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients perceive that dentists can play an important part in smoking cessation activities. Hence, dentists should not hesitate to give smoking cessation advice to their patients and grasp this opportunity to improve the general and oral health of the community.
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Poonam
authors: P
authors: Sood
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Ridhi
authors: R
authors: Narang
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Swathi
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Litik
authors: L
authors: Mittal
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
authors: Kunal
authors: K
authors: Jha
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Anamika
authors: A
authors: Gupta
keywords: Knowledge; perceptions; prevention; smoking; smoking cessation