Irene Tamí-Maury1, María Guadalupe Silva-Vetri2, Maytté Marcano-Caldera3, Alessandra Baasch4, Alexander V Prokhorov1. 1. The University of Texas MD, Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, USA. 2. School of Dentistry, Universidad Central del Este. San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. 3. School of Dentistry, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales. Manizales, Caldas, Colombia. 4. School of Dentistry, Universidad Santa María. Caracas, Venezuela.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: : To examine the association between tobacco-related risk factors and smoking among third-year dental students in Latin American countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: : Logistic regression models were used to analyze Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) data. RESULTS: : Of 5 605 respondents, 33% smoked and 45% had been exposed to secondhand smoke during the previous month, 34% smoked in school buildings during the past year, and 85% had never received formal training in smoking cessation. Smoking was significantly associated with male sex; Bolivian, Chilean, or Mexican nationality; exposure to secondhand smoke; lacking self-perception of being a "role model" for patients; and not believing that health professionals who smoke are less likely to advise patients to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: : All dental schools should encourage tobacco-free policies and offer cessation services. Cessation training must be incorporated into dental curricula to include dental professionals in the battle against the tobacco epidemic.
OBJECTIVE: : To examine the association between tobacco-related risk factors and smoking among third-year dental students in Latin American countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: : Logistic regression models were used to analyze Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) data. RESULTS: : Of 5 605 respondents, 33% smoked and 45% had been exposed to secondhand smoke during the previous month, 34% smoked in school buildings during the past year, and 85% had never received formal training in smoking cessation. Smoking was significantly associated with male sex; Bolivian, Chilean, or Mexican nationality; exposure to secondhand smoke; lacking self-perception of being a "role model" for patients; and not believing that health professionals who smoke are less likely to advise patients to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: : All dental schools should encourage tobacco-free policies and offer cessation services. Cessation training must be incorporated into dental curricula to include dental professionals in the battle against the tobacco epidemic.