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Published on: August 25, 2018
Prevalence and perceptions of e-cigarette use in orthodontic patients: A cross-sectional survey
Bronagh McGuckin1, Kishan Patel1, Lucy Davenport-Jones1
1Department of Orthodontics, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Objectives:
To assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use among orthodontic patients in a UK hospital setting, while investigating patterns of use and evaluating patients' knowledge of the oral health effects of e-cigarettes, along with how it may impact orthodontic treatment outcomes.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients aged 11 years and above attending routine appointments at the Orthodontic Department of St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over 3 months. The 34-item survey captured demographics, e-cigarette use and device type, initiation age, cessation attempts, knowledge of oral health effects, perceived treatment impact and patient-clinician communication. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.
Results:
A total of 140 participants completed the survey. A high prevalence of e-cigarette use was observed, with 25% of participants having tried them and 14.3% of all participants being regular users. The average age of initiation was 16 years, and 68% of users had no history of tobacco smoking. Reasons for use were primarily 'curiosity' (38%) and 'social reasons' (32%). A significant knowledge gap regarding oral health risks was identified, with only 11% of participants rating themselves as 'very' or 'extremely' knowledgeable. Despite this, 82% of participants believed e-cigarette use could affect their braces and 59% expressed some concern. A notable communication gap was found, as 92% of all participants had never spoken to their orthodontist about e-cigarette use. However, when advice was given, three out of four users reported a reduction or cessation of their habit.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of e-cigarette use in this cohort of orthodontic patients exceeds national averages and is largely driven by social factors. These patients have limited knowledge of the oral health risks and report a lack of clinical discussion, highlighting the need for routine screening, targeted education and cessation support from orthodontists.
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