Perception and Attitudes of Dental Students towards Their Role in the Delivery of a Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention

Affiliations

01 January 2020

-

doi: 10.1159/000501420


Abstract

Objectives: An assessment of dental students' attitudes and perceptions towards smoking, and their role in smoking cessation, needs to be understood to develop an effective training program in smoking cessation counseling. The aim of the study was to understand attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of students towards their role in smoking cessation, to understand students' self-reported requirements in relation to skills and knowledge prior to training, and to understand students' self-reported learning from training.

Materials and methods: Dental students (n = 46) in clinical training at the Kuwait University's Faculty of Dentistry participated in this study. Prior to the training on smoking cessation, an evaluation of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge was conducted. The students also completed a pre- and post-classroom assessment technique (CAT). Descriptive analysis of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge towards smoking and their role in smoking cessation was evaluated. A qualitative content analysis of the students' responses to a CAT was conducted.

Results: Ninety-eight percent of the students showed willingness to perform a brief smoking cessation intervention; 62% of the students perceived their role in smoking cessation as difficult; and 95% agreed that leaders in the profession expected them to engage in a smoking cessation intervention. Four categories from the pre-CAT responses were generated: how to influence; effective communication skills; bolster knowledge and understanding; and intrapersonal skills. Analysis of the post-CAT responses identified the following three categories: patient-centered communication; gaining self confidence in skills set; and support frameworks.

Conclusions: Students need more client-centered skills and knowledge to bolster their confidence in cessation counseling.

Keywords: Brief interventions; Cessation; Dental students; Smoking.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this publication, M.E. Khalaf, S. Curtin, and A. O'Reilly Trace, declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The authors did not receive institutional financial support for this publication.


Similar articles

Smoking cessation counseling in dentistry: attitudes of Nigerian dentists and dental students.

Uti OG, Sofola OO.J Dent Educ. 2011 Mar;75(3):406-12.PMID: 21368264

Impact of an educational intervention on smoking counseling practice among Nigerian dentists and dental students.

Uti O, Sofola O.Niger J Clin Pract. 2015 Jan-Feb;18(1):75-9. doi: 10.4103/1119-3077.146983.PMID: 25511348

Opinions of Romanian Dental Students Toward Tobacco Use Interventions in the Dental Setting.

Dumitrescu AL, Ibric S, Ibric-Cioranu V.J Cancer Educ. 2016 Mar;31(1):172-80. doi: 10.1007/s13187-015-0855-7.PMID: 26007635

Perceptions of dental students in India about smoking cessation counseling.

Rajasundaram P, Sequeira PS, Jain J.J Dent Educ. 2011 Dec;75(12):1603-10.PMID: 22184600

Assessing behavioural change support abilities of the oral healthcare team.

Mattheos N, Attström R, Fundak A, Knutsson K, Padrutt S, Polychronopoulou A, Schoonheim-Klein M, Saxer UP.Oral Health Prev Dent. 2006;4(1):71-7.PMID: 16683399 Review.


Cited by

The barriers for tobacco cessation counseling in teaching health care institutions: A qualitative data analysis using MAXQDA software.

Koka KM, Yadlapalli S, Pillarisetti P, Yasangi MK, Yaragani A, Kummamuru S.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021 Sep;10(9):3262-3267. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_19_21. Epub 2021 Sep 30.PMID: 34760741 Free PMC article.


KMEL References