Tobacco and oral health: attitudes and opinions of European dentists; a report of the EU working group on tobacco and oral health.

AIM

To discover whether dentists are prepared to advise their patients to stop smoking.

DESIGN

Postal questionnaire.

SETTING

Member countries of the European Union.

PARTICIPANTS

Dentists in 12 EU countries.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Dentists' knowledge of links between tobacco-use, general health and periodontal health. Knowledge of, and preparedness to offer, tobacco-cessation activities for patients. Personal and practice smoking policies.

RESULTS

EU-dentists are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use in general and on oral tissues in particular. Over two-thirds of EU-dentists feel that offering information about tobacco cessation is the dentist's duty, while slightly less actually do so. Lack of time and reimbursement mechanisms are the most often mentioned barriers for co-operation with a campaign. Less than 10 per cent of EU-dentists smoke every day while three-quarters of practices are totally smoke free.

CONCLUSIONS

EU-dentists want to be informed and supported on the issue by leaflets, brochures, continuing education and patient education materials. More attention should be paid to the relation of smoking and implant failure.