Support of Clinical Dental Faculty for Tobacco Cessation Training

OBJECTIVES: To increase knowledge, behavior and practice of dental students, a tobacco cessation intervention curriculum was developed and implemented, in conjunction with a cessation clinic staffed by certified tobacco cessation specialists available to assist students and patients at Baylor College of Dentistry. METHODS:The knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of clinical faculty were surveyed to assess the degree to which they were prepared and willing to reinforce the tobacco cessation in the clinical setting. RESULTS: A total of 86 completed surveys were obtained, representing approximately 80% of the BCD faculty. More than 90% of respondents agreed that dental students should be trained to intervene in tobacco use although only 67% felt that it is a dentist's responsibility to treat tobacco dependency. Over 80% reported that assessment of patient's tobacco use status, educating the patient, identifying patients ready to quit and referring for counseling was important to cessation success. Fewer (67%) saw enhancing motivation as important to success in quitting tobacco. A large majority (92%) agreed tobacco was the nation's largest health problem, that cessation is important for oral health (94%), improves quality of care (93%) and enhances clinical outcomes (88%). However, only 35% had ever made a referral for cessation counseling. Major barriers to clinical intervention reported were insufficient time (80%) and lack of training (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall the respondents agreed that cessation and availability of counseling services were beneficial and should be taught to dental students. Barriers to implementation in practice were insufficient training and time constraints in the clinical setting.

This project was supported by NIDCR RO1 DE7063