The rate of tobacco smoking among dental school students in Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: This survey aimed to investigate the attitudes of the first-and fifth-year Turkish dental school students towards tobacco and to determine the prevalence of those using various tobacco products. Materials & Methods: The survey was conducted between May 1 and June 30, 2018 and the first-and fifth-year students were from eleven dental schools located in different regions of Turkey. Data were tested statistically using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program. Results: A total of 1228 students participated and 1096 completed the online survey. The majority of the participants were females (n=691, 63.05%). Mean age of the participants was 21.8 ± 2.9 years (age range 18-54 years). Although the overall rate of current smokers was 37.96%, 62.04% of the participants had inhaled tobacco smoke at least once. More than half (55.19%) of the current smokers stated that they wish to quit and 29.26% of these students have attempted to quit within the last six months. Only 19.49% of all participants defined themselves as highly addicted to cigarette smoking. The rate of waterpipe smokers was 41.2%, of which 83.7% declared that they had no intention to quit. Conclusion: This study shows that the rate of tobacco smokers is rather high among dental school students in Turkey and this finding points out the need for novel and more effective precautions against tobacco.

Perception and Attitudes of Dental Students Towards Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation Counseling

“…[20][21][22] Another study conducted in Turkey reported that 62.0 % of the participants had inhaled cigarette smoke at least once, even though the median number of active smokers was 37.9%. 23 These rates of previous experience and current usage are similar to those found in our current study. In our research, 75.5 % had tried cigarettes at least once and 36.9% were current users, with the majority of smokers claiming that peers had influenced their decision (32.0%).…”

Caries prevalence, oral health practices/behaviours and dental anxiety levels amongst dental hygiene students: A cross‐sectional study

“…Since most of the early signs of tobacco consumption are observed in the oral cavity, dental providers are imposed with a critical responsibility of reducing the risk of tobacco‐related disorders through counselling and to be a good role model for society by leading a tobacco‐free lifestyle 37,38 . In the present study, although the defined smoking rate for preclinical (21.91%) and clinical students (23.88%) was relatively lower than the rates reported in similar recent studies (29.9% and 37.96%), 37,38 it is higher than the smoking rate of the general population (16.7% males, 13.6% females) 39 . This finding is similar to previous studies that reported a high prevalence of tobacco use amongst healthcare professionals and an increased prevalence of smoking amongst undergraduate students from the first year to the upper grades 38 .…”

“…Smoking is associated with significant chronic disorders, such as periodontal diseases, oral cavity, larynx and lung cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases 35,36 . Since most of the early signs of tobacco consumption are observed in the oral cavity, dental providers are imposed with a critical responsibility of reducing the risk of tobacco‐related disorders through counselling and to be a good role model for society by leading a tobacco‐free lifestyle 37,38 . In the present study, although the defined smoking rate for preclinical (21.91%) and clinical students (23.88%) was relatively lower than the rates reported in similar recent studies (29.9% and 37.96%), 37,38 it is higher than the smoking rate of the general population (16.7% males, 13.6% females) 39 .…”

“…Therefore, the side effects of tobacco consumption should be presented to students using evidence‐based data and organizing anti‐tobacco campaigns in university environments. The mission of dental hygiene students should be to prevent smoking‐related diseases, acquire basic knowledge and skills regarding tobacco‐free lifestyle and develop smoking cessation behaviours 37 . As a future consideration; these anti‐tobacco campaigns should include comprehensive policies regarding the different kind of tobacco products with the increase in the use of e‐cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco products, water pipes and cannabis.…”