Journal of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems
Open Access

Abstract

Dentists' Practice and Perceived Barriers towards Smoking Cessation and Intervention in Karachi, Pakistan

Umbreen Farrukh, Sadia Shakeel and Sadaf Nisar

The prevention and control of tobacco use is becoming of global significance. Health care workers need to implement tobacco cessation as part of their daily practice. The aim of this study was to identify dentists’ current practice regarding smoking cessation and prevention as well as to identify the barriers that hinder them to deliver smoking cessation advice.
A survey based study was conducted in October 2015 to determine the practices, willingness, and perceived barriers of dentists in relation to smoking cessation in dental care setting. A pretested, close-ended, selfadministered, questionnaire was distributed among the dental health practitioners working in public sector and private dental clinics. The collected data was analyzed for frequency distributions and χ2. Most of the participants (78.61%) agreed that dentist has an important role in smoking cessation, 11% differ and 10.2% were not well versed with their role. Majority (76.54%) explained smokers the impact of smoking on their general and dental health. Around 72% advised and (50.61%) assisted patients who smoke and are willing to give up. Overall, the dentists had a positive approach in tobacco cessation counseling for the patients; though lack of resources and time, inappropriate clinical knowledge and skills needed for the prevention and cessation of tobacco use were the major recognized barriers.