Combustible and electronic cigarette use among patients at a large academic dental school clinic: A preimplementation...

Tobacco product use is a significant public health concern, particularly with the increasing use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (electronic cigarettes [e-cigarettes]). Dental care providers are well positioned to screen and provide guidance regarding tobacco use, but these services are generally underused.

In preparation for a quality improvement project, patients at a large academic dental school clinic were anonymously surveyed regarding past and current use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes, attitudes about quitting, and health beliefs regarding these products.

Among 166 surveyed patients, past month use of combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and both combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes (dual use) was reported by 14.5%, 2.4%, and 5.4% of patients, respectively. Daily combustible cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use was reported by 12.7%, 1.2%, and 1.8% of patients, respectively. Most current tobacco users expressed thoughts or plans about changing their tobacco use and concerns regarding continued use of these products on their oral health. More than one-half of the current tobacco users expressed interest in receiving additional support to help them quit.

Dental care providers see a sizable number of patients who use combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes, many of whom are concerned about the potential harms of these products on their health and express interest in tobacco-use cessation support.

It is critical that dental care professionals engage in efforts to assess combustible cigarette and e-cigarette use and provide guidance regarding these products to their patients.