Curriculum survey on tobacco education in European dental schools

Dental professionals need adequate education in tobacco use prevention and cessation skills. The aim of this study was to identify the level of integration of tobacco education in undergraduate curricula of European dental schools.

In 2009, a total of 197 European dental schools were identified through web-based searches. An e-mail survey, containing 20 questions, was sent to each head of school/director of education with up to five follow-up e-mails to non-responders.

Dental schools from 21 European countries responded to the survey. The overall return rate was 68 out of 197 schools (35%). In 14 (21%) dental schools, the students were requested to be tobacco free, 14 (21%) asked their students to quit tobacco use and 21 (31%) offered students cessation assistance. All responding schools reported that patients were asked about their tobacco use; 59% by taking an oral history, 75% using a general medical history form and 10% using a specific tobacco use history form. A total of 34% of the schools referred smokers to an external counselling clinic, 13% referred to a telephone counselling, and dental students provided brief counselling in 11 schools (16%). Forty-five (67%) dental schools reported to have tobacco education implemented in their curriculum, of these 30 (67%) stated their tobacco curriculum was mandatory. Theoretical education on tobacco culture and its impact on oral health were implemented in 45 (66%) dental schools. However, only 18 (40%) schools have introduced practical skills training to their students. Dental schools assessed their students' theoretical knowledge (27%) and practical training (4%), respectively.

Even though theoretical tobacco education appears to be acknowledged by many European dental schools, further practical training of undergraduate dental students in tobacco prevention and cessation skills should be encouraged.