Prevalence of smoking among dental students and gauging their knowledge about tobacco cessation methods: An original study

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence and type of tobacco use among dental students and to identify the factors that influence them to initiate tobacco use. Subjects and Methods: Dental students at two dental colleges affiliated to State Health University of Kerala answered a 20-item questionnaire during Jan–Feb 2015 that investigated their smoking habits and knowledge about the risk factors of smoking habits. The questions were based on the modified Global Health Professional Students Survey (GHPSS) by WHO. Some additional questions were also added from Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) by WHO to meet the objective of this study. Result: Current smoking was reported by 17% of the participants. None of the participants smoked more than half a packet of cigarette. More students from families with at least one tobacco user were using tobacco than those from families with no members using tobacco (51.2 versus 37.0%, respectively). The majority of dental students (92%) considered education on tobacco use cessation to be the responsibility of dentists/doctors. Conclusion: One of the main aims of this study was to shed light on the knowledge and attitudes of dental students on tobacco use cessation. Fairly high number of participants reported receiving inadequate information on tobacco cessation during their studies. Dental students should be taught and encouraged early on to routinely discuss with smokers the impacts of smoking on health.

Oral Health Attitudes among Preclinical and Clinical Dental Students: A Pilot Study and Self-Assessment in an Egyptian State-Funded University

“…This is an alarming result, as both study groups of dental students presented a smoking incidence higher than the general Egyptian population [ 42 ] and Egyptian medical students [ 43 ], and ranked among the highest rates worldwide [ 3 , 44 ]. In contrast to student groups in Japan [ 45 ], India [ 46 ], and Germany [ 3 ], the current survey displayed higher smoking rates among preclinical than clinical participants. This observation was explained in previous studies on medical and dental students, as higher levels of education or clinical knowledge were positively correlated with a cessation of tobacco-associated habits or the consumption of other psychoactive substances [ 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Effectiveness of an innovative and interactive smoking cessation training module for dental students: A prospective study

“…Within our sample, one in five students reported being occasional or regular smokers. This proportion is within the range of smoking prevalence reported for dental students in various countries (Brazil: 8.9%; India: 17%; Romania: 37%). In 2011, the Global Health Professions Student Survey provided the most comprehensive overview of smoking prevalence in dental students to date.…”

Tobacco Usage among Dental Interns in Panchkula, Haryana, India

“…In the present study, out of 88 participants, 26 were tobacco users of which 20 (44.4%) were males and 6(13.9%) were females. A similar study among dental students by Thomas (2019) revealed that boys were 3.15 times more likely to use tobacco compared to girls. 13 In the present study stress and friends (peer pressure) were the principle reasons for tobacco usage.…”

“…A similar study among dental students by Thomas (2019) revealed that boys were 3.15 times more likely to use tobacco compared to girls. 13 In the present study stress and friends (peer pressure) were the principle reasons for tobacco usage. A similar study in Saudi Arabia revealed that the effect of having close friends that smoke along with high stress might increase the rate of smoking among medical interns in Saudi Arabia.…”