A Comparison of Cessation Counseling Received by Current Smokers at US Dentist and Physician Offices During 2010–2011
Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We compared patient-reported receipt of smoking cessation counseling from US dentists and physicians. METHODS: We analyzed the 2010 to 2011 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey to assess receipt of smoking cessation advice and assistance by a current smoker from a dentist or physician in the past 12 months. RESULTS: Current adult smokers were significantly less likely to be advised to quit smoking during a visit to a dentist (31.2%) than to a physician (64.8%). Among physician patients who were advised to quit, 52.7% received at least 1 form of assistance beyond the simple advice to quit; 24.5% of dental patients received such assistance (P < .05). Approximately 9.4 million smokers who visited a dentist in 2010 to 2011 did not receive any cessation counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a need for intensified efforts to increase dentist involvement in cessation counseling. System-level changes, coupled with regular training, may enhance self-efficacy of dentists in engaging patients in tobacco cessation counseling.
Institutions: Harvard University, University of Limpopo
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2118849661