Smoking cessation interventions in the Oxford region: changes in dentists' attitudes and reported practices 1996-2001

To investigate dentists' current beliefs and practices (2001) with respect to smoking cessation interventions and any changes that might have occurred since the last survey in 1996.

Postal questionnaire survey.

General dental practitioners on the health authority lists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.

A response rate of 71% (696/984) was achieved. The majority of dentists (88.6%) thought that dentists should encourage their patients to stop smoking (increase of 6.3% since 1996; 95%CI 2.6, 10.2; p=0.001), although only 42.2% believed dentists were effective in this area (non-significant increase of 4.8% since 1996). Only 48.4% routinely recorded their patient's smoking status (increase of 30.3% since 1996; 95%CI 25.4, 34.9; p<0.001) and only 26.9% always discussed the habit with smokers (increase of 9.5% since 1996; 95%CI 5.1, 13.9; p<0.001). Less than 10% reported a good knowledge of NRT or Bupropion. About half of respondents requested more training and resources.

Dentists generally have positive attitudes to being involved in smoking cessation interventions, but although there are significant increases between 1996 and the current survey, few are active in this area. More training and resources may encourage dentists to be more proactive in helping their patients to stop smoking.