Jongenelis Michelle I, Saraswat Nidhi, Yap Tami, Li Runze
Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Dental Health Services Victoria, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia; Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia.
J Dent. 2025 Apr;155:105640. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105640. Epub 2025 Feb 19.
Despite the oral health risks associated with e-cigarette use (i.e., vaping) and the importance of cessation, research exploring the experiences and views of oral health practitioners in relation to e-cigarettes and delivering cessation counselling is limited. This study investigated oral health practitioners' (i) experiences with the oral health effects of e-cigarette use, (ii) knowledge and perceptions of e-cigarettes, and (iii) confidence in providing cessation advice to patients. We also explored desired support and preferences for training and education related to e-cigarettes.
A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 192 oral health practitioners (e.g., dentists, oral health therapists) working in Australia. The survey measured experiences with patient e-cigarette use, perceptions of e-cigarettes, confidence providing patients with cessation advice, and needs and preferences for practitioner training.
There was near universal concern (n = 184, 96 %) regarding the effects of e-cigarette use on oral health. Two-thirds of respondents (n = 122, 65 %) rated their level of knowledge about e-cigarette use and detecting oral health damage from e-cigarette use as low. Only 29 % (n = 56) of respondents believed they had sufficient knowledge to provide advice and support to patients who use e-cigarettes. Interest in education related to e-cigarettes was high, with 98 % (n = 188) of respondents expressing an interest in completing an education module designed specifically for oral health practitioners.
A clear opportunity to improve vaping-related knowledge among oral health practitioners was identified. Providing oral health practitioners with evidence-based education about e-cigarettes and training in the delivery of appropriate cessation support is critical to increasing practitioner knowledge and confidence.
Despite the oral health risks associated with e-cigarette use and the importance of cessation, few oral health practitioners report feeling well-supported in their efforts to manage e-cigarette use in their patients. The development of vaping-related resources, clinical guidelines, or training activities for oral health practitioners is urgently needed to facilitate evidence-based discussions with patients.
尽管电子烟使用（即吸电子烟）存在口腔健康风险且戒烟很重要，但探索口腔健康从业者关于电子烟及提供戒烟咨询的经历和观点的研究有限。本研究调查了口腔健康从业者：（i）对电子烟使用的口腔健康影响的经历，（ii）对电子烟的知识和认知，以及（iii）向患者提供戒烟建议的信心。我们还探讨了对与电子烟相关的培训和教育的期望支持及偏好。
192名在澳大利亚工作的口腔健康从业者（如牙医、口腔健康治疗师）完成了一项横断面在线调查。该调查测量了与患者电子烟使用相关的经历、对电子烟的认知、向患者提供戒烟建议的信心以及从业者培训的需求和偏好。
几乎所有人（n = 184，96%）都关注电子烟使用对口腔健康的影响。三分之二的受访者（n = 122，65%）认为他们对电子烟使用及检测电子烟造成的口腔健康损害的知识水平较低。只有29%（n = 56）的受访者认为自己有足够的知识为使用电子烟的患者提供建议和支持。对与电子烟相关教育的兴趣很高，98%（n = 188）的受访者表示有兴趣完成专门为口腔健康从业者设计的教育模块。
确定了提高口腔健康从业者电子烟相关知识的明确机会。为口腔健康从业者提供关于电子烟的循证教育以及提供适当戒烟支持的培训，对于提高从业者的知识和信心至关重要。
尽管电子烟使用存在口腔健康风险且戒烟很重要，但很少有口腔健康从业者报告在管理患者电子烟使用方面得到了充分支持。迫切需要为口腔健康从业者开发与电子烟相关的资源、临床指南或培训活动，以促进与患者进行循证讨论。
