Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Tobacco Cessation Therapies Among Clinical Dental Students of Udaipur City A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding tobacco cessation therapies among clinical dental students in Udaipur city, India.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 468 clinical dental students (III BDS, IV BDS, interns, and postgraduate students) from two randomly selected dental colleges in Udaipur city. A validated, self-administered, close-ended online questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' knowledge, attitude, and practices related to tobacco cessation therapies.

Results: The study found that while 94.9% of the respondents were aware that tobacco use is harmful to health, there were significant gaps in their knowledge of specific cessation therapies and strategies. The average knowledge score was 4.7 out of 10, with postgraduate students scoring the highest. Overall, 56.4% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards tobacco cessation counseling, with postgraduate students and never-users of tobacco showing more favorable attitudes. However, only 60.7% of the students reported providing tobacco cessation counseling to their patients, and just 30.8% had prescribed nicotine replacement therapies.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for strengthening tobacco cessation education and training in dental curricula to equip future dental professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to play a pivotal role in reducing the burden of tobacco use among their patients.