Observations and concepts of the oral health consequences of tobacco use of Finnish periodontists and dentists.

The observations of Finnish periodontists and other dentists, and their concepts of the oral health consequences of tobacco use as well as their counseling on tobacco use, were surveyed from November 1987 to January 1988. A questionnaire was mailed to all 61 Finnish periodontists and to 535 other dentists; 37 periodontists (61%) and 432 of the other dentists (80%) responded. The periodontists enquired about and advised on smoking significantly more frequently than did the other dentists; 71% of the periodontists often or always enquired about, and 62% advised their patients on smoking. 31% of all dentists had patients who were users of smokeless tobacco, and 62% of those dentists had often or always advised the users to quit. Nearly all dentists had seen some tobacco-caused effects. Periodontists reported more frequently than the other dentists that they had observed more periodontitis, impaired healing of periodontitis and more changes in the oral mucosa in smokers compared with non-smokers. The majority of those who had seen users of smokeless tobacco had noticed changes in the oral mucosa and in the color of the gingiva. The majority of all dentists believed that heavy smoking may impair the host response in the periodontium, with periodontists believing in this more strongly than other dentists.