Yong-Duk Park1, Lauren L Patton, Ji-Hwan Kim, Hae-Young Kim. 1. Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
AIMS: To investigate the smoking habits and attitudes toward anti-smoking activities of Korean dentists according to their smoking status. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 2500 currently active Korean dentists in 2008. After 20% of the 1680 returned surveys (response rate 67.2%) were excluded due to missing data, 1443 surveys were analysed. RESULTS: Among the 1443 respondents, most were male (81.8%) and age 40-49 was the most prevalent age group (41.6%). Approximately half of participating dentists were never-smokers, 24.6% were current smokers, and 29% were ex-smokers. Women (95.8%) were significantly more likely to have never smoked than men (35.4%). Prevalence of cigarette smoking of Korean male and female dentists was much lower than that of male and female Korean adults, respectively. Ex-smokers were significantly more likely to show a positive attitude about anti-smoking activities, compared to current smokers (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of respondents agreed dentists should encourage their patients to stop smoking. Further effort is needed to encourage smoking cessation among male Korean dentists who smoke so they benefit from a healthier lifestyle and will subsequently be more likely to provide recommendations for smoking prevention and cessation for their patients.
AIMS: To investigate the smoking habits and attitudes toward anti-smoking activities of Korean dentists according to their smoking status. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 2500 currently active Korean dentists in 2008. After 20% of the 1680 returned surveys (response rate 67.2%) were excluded due to missing data, 1443 surveys were analysed. RESULTS: Among the 1443 respondents, most were male (81.8%) and age 40-49 was the most prevalent age group (41.6%). Approximately half of participating dentists were never-smokers, 24.6% were current smokers, and 29% were ex-smokers. Women (95.8%) were significantly more likely to have never smoked than men (35.4%). Prevalence of cigarette smoking of Korean male and female dentists was much lower than that of male and female Korean adults, respectively. Ex-smokers were significantly more likely to show a positive attitude about anti-smoking activities, compared to current smokers (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of respondents agreed dentists should encourage their patients to stop smoking. Further effort is needed to encourage smoking cessation among male Korean dentists who smoke so they benefit from a healthier lifestyle and will subsequently be more likely to provide recommendations for smoking prevention and cessation for their patients.
Authors: Arezoo Ebn Ahmady; Shima Golmohammadi; Sara Ayremlou; Mohammad Hossein Khoshnevisan; Harry Alan Lando Journal: Int Dent J Date: 2011-11-08 Impact factor: 2.607