Australian dentists' educational needs for smoking cessation counseling

Citation
G. Rikard-bell et J. Ward, Australian dentists' educational needs for smoking cessation counseling, J CANCER ED, 16(2), 2001, pp. 80-84
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Oncology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION
ISSN journal
0885-8195 → ACNP
Volume
16
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
80 - 84
Database
ISI
SICI code
0885-8195(200122)16:2<80:ADENFS>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
Background. Australian dentists' continuing educational needs and their att itudes towards and self-reported practices related to smoking cessation cou nseling were examined. Method. Self-administered questionnaires were receiv ed from 149 dentists (83% response rate). Results. Many dentists were aware that smoking is a risk factor for the development of oral cancer (n = 128, 86%). Most considered smoking cessation counseling to be part of their pro fessional role (n = 105, 70%). However, few "always" asked about the smokin g status of their patients (n. = 21, 14%). The dentists' use of specific be havioral techniques known to assist patients to quit also was low. Furtherm ore, the dentists were as likely to use ineffective (advice to "cut down") as effective (advice to "quit") (p > 0.05) strategies. The respondents were significantly more interested in self-help pamphlets for their patients th an in either evidence-based guidelines (McNemar's chi (2) = 9.76, df = 1, p < 0.01) or a self-study module about smoking cessation (McNemar's <chi>(2) = 42.0, df = 1, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Continuing education for dentists that combines skills training, patient materials, and epidemiology is like ly to be acceptable and effective.