BACKGROUND: Because heavy drinking is a risk factor for oral cancer, dentists should screen patients for alcohol use. The authors investigated heavy drinking in dental patients and patients' attitudes about alcohol screening. METHODS: A convenience sample of 408 patients attending an emergency walk-in dental clinic served as subjects. Patients completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C (AUDIT-C), a three-item alcohol screening test, and an opinion survey regarding attitudes about the acceptability of alcohol screening and counseling by dentists. RESULTS: One in four patients had positive screening results for heavy alcohol use. The majority of subjects (> 75 percent) were in support of dentists' inquiries and advice about alcohol use. Age, sex and drinking status were not predictive of patients' opinions about alcohol screening. CONCLUSIONS: One hundred three of the dental patients exhibited evidence of hazardous alcohol consumption, a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. The majority of patients reported that they would readily accept alcohol screening and alcohol counseling by dentists. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Because studies have shown that some dentists hesitate to screen for alcohol use because of a belief that screening is unacceptable to patients, these results may encourage a change in practice.
BACKGROUND: Because heavy drinking is a risk factor for oral cancer, dentists should screen patients for alcohol use. The authors investigated heavy drinking in dental patients and patients' attitudes about alcohol screening. METHODS: A convenience sample of 408 patients attending an emergency walk-in dental clinic served as subjects. Patients completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C (AUDIT-C), a three-item alcohol screening test, and an opinion survey regarding attitudes about the acceptability of alcohol screening and counseling by dentists. RESULTS: One in four patients had positive screening results for heavy alcohol use. The majority of subjects (> 75 percent) were in support of dentists' inquiries and advice about alcohol use. Age, sex and drinking status were not predictive of patients' opinions about alcohol screening. CONCLUSIONS: One hundred three of the dental patients exhibited evidence of hazardous alcohol consumption, a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. The majority of patients reported that they would readily accept alcohol screening and alcohol counseling by dentists. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Because studies have shown that some dentists hesitate to screen for alcohol use because of a belief that screening is unacceptable to patients, these results may encourage a change in practice.
Authors: Christiane Pflanz-Sinclair; Catriona Matheson; Christine M Bond; Amna Almarzouqi; Amanda J Lee; Anwar Batieha; Hamad Al Ghaferi; Ahmed El Kashef Journal: Prim Health Care Res Dev Date: 2017-12-26 Impact factor: 1.458
Authors: Susan G Reed; Kathleen B Cartmell; Nadia G Duffy; Amy E Wahlquist; Debajyoti Sinha; Amanda Hollinger; Ashley Bode; Anthony J Alberg; Terry A Day Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 2.037
Authors: James Alan Neff; Scott T Walters; Abby L Braitman; Michelle L Kelley; James F Paulson; Tegwyn H Brickhouse; John C Gunsolley; Michele L Darby; Margaret F Lemaster; J Patrick Vandersluis; Margaret M Walsh Journal: J Health Psychol Date: 2012-07-26
Authors: Caroline Eyles; Michael Moore; Nicholas Sheron; Paul Roderick; Wendy O'Brien; Geraldine M Leydon Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 5.386