Smoking cessation counselling--a role for the dental profession?

Whilst several studies have investigated the views of North American dentists on providing advice to patients on stopping smoking, the role of their UK counterparts in this area is uncertain. Thus this study aimed: 1. to examine dentists' awareness of the effect of smoking on general and oral health, 2. to determine their views on counselling patients to give up smoking, 3. to investigate the extent to which they currently engage in this activity, and 4. to survey barriers to providing such advice. Data were collected via a postal questionnaire mailed to 587 Scottish dental practitioners, of which 448 (76.3%) were completed and returned. The importance of smoking as a cause of ill health and death was acknowledged universally, and most were aware of the adverse consequences of smoking on the oral tissues. Over half the respondents (245 or 54.7%) thought dentists had a role in counselling patients to give up smoking and whilst 107 (23.8%) were uncertain, the remaining 95 (21.2%) felt this was outside their remit. Nonetheless, 384 (85.6%) reported that, at least occasionally, they advised patients to quit. Lack of time was seen as an important barrier to tobacco counselling, as was lack of training. Further studies are required to determine the most useful strategies or approaches, and to determine their effectiveness.