Finnish dentists as tobacco counselors

The first nationwide survey of Finnish dentists' use of tobacco, their inquiring about and advising patients on tobacco use, and their attitudes toward anti-tobacco health education (ATHE) was carried out at the end of 1987. A questionnaire mailed to 540 dentists produced 435 answers (81%). One fourth of the male dentists and 6% of the female dentists currently were smokers, and 11% of men and 2% of women smoked daily. Information on smoking practices of patients was obtained always by 8%, often by 18%, and occasionally by 62% of the dentists. Four percent of the dentists advised always and 15% often their patients about smoking, and 62% did so occasionally. The majority of the dentists agreed that dentists should take part in ATHE and that dentists can encourage patients to stop using tobacco. The respondents supporting the involvement of dentists in ATHE reported having an active role in tobacco counseling (TC) significantly more frequently than those not sharing the idea of involvement. It was concluded that Finnish dentists could be a valuable resource in TC because of their positive attitudes.