Substance use among Dutch dental students

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Public Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Substance use among dental students is a concern with potential impacts on academic performance and future professional practice.
• Understanding the prevalence and attitudes towards substance use is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among dental students in The Netherlands.
• To determine dental students' attitudes regarding substance use and its potential consequences.
• To evaluate the availability of school-based policies and educational programs on substance use.

Main Methods:

• A translated, anonymous 115-item questionnaire was administered to dental students at two Dutch dental schools in 1996.
• The study was conducted in association with a national study of drug use among US dental students.
• Data collected included lifetime, past year, and past month substance use patterns, as well as attitudes towards school policies.

Main Results:

• Alcohol was the most prevalent substance, with 88% reporting past month use. Binge drinking patterns were also reported by a significant portion of students.
• Past month prevalence for tobacco was 24% and marijuana was 4%. Male students reported higher tobacco use than females.
• Over half (52%) of students believed their schools lacked adequate policies and educational programs on alcohol and drug use.

Conclusions:

• Dental schools should implement comprehensive programs to educate students on responsible substance use.
• Educational initiatives should address the risks of substance abuse and dependency, tailored to dental students.
• There is a clear need for improved institutional support and resources regarding substance use education in dental schools.