Shabani Donika B, Dula Linda J, Dalipi Zana Sllamniku, Krasniqi Mirlinda S, Meto Aida
Department of Endodontics, University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo, Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo.
Department of Prosthetic, University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo, Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo.
Dent J (Basel). 2025 Mar 10;13(3):119. doi: 10.3390/dj13030119.
The rising popularity of e-cigarette use is creating new challenges for oral healthcare. Factors such as targeted marketing, appealing flavors, and the perception that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional smoking have contributed to their widespread adoption. This trend is particularly prevalent among young adults and teenagers, many of whom turn to e-cigarettes despite having no prior history of regular cigarette use. This study aimed to evaluate dentists' knowledge and perceptions regarding e-cigarettes, focusing on their health effects, regulatory status, and potential risks to oral health. Assessing dentists' knowledge of e-cigarette risks is important, as they guide patients on the potential oral health dangers of vaping. E-cigarette use has been linked to several oral health problems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 189 dentists in Kosovo, comprising both general dentists and specialists. The questionnaire assessed participants' awareness of e-cigarettes' FDA approval status, their perceptions of health impacts, and their understanding of e-cigarettes' association with oral conditions such as caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22, with significance set at < 0.05. The findings revealed significant knowledge gaps, with 74.1% of respondents being uncertain about the FDA approval status of e-cigarettes and 82.0% recognizing their harmful effects on general and oral health. Nearly half (49.7%) of the participants identified e-cigarettes as a potential risk factor for caries, while 66.1% and 64.6% associated their use with oral cancer and periodontal disease, respectively. Gender and professional specialization did not significantly influence these perceptions. Dentists need better education on the risks of e-cigarette use, including their harmful effects on oral health. Incorporating this knowledge into dental curricula and professional training is essential to give dentists the information needed to advise patients effectively. Raising public awareness through dental health professionals can help mitigate the oral health risks associated with e-cigarettes.
电子烟使用的日益普及给口腔保健带来了新的挑战。有针对性的营销、诱人的口味以及认为电子烟是比传统吸烟更安全的替代品等因素，促使电子烟被广泛采用。这一趋势在年轻人和青少年中尤为普遍，他们中的许多人尽管此前没有经常吸烟的历史，却转向了电子烟。本研究旨在评估牙医对电子烟的了解和认知，重点关注其对健康的影响、监管状况以及对口腔健康的潜在风险。评估牙医对电子烟风险的了解很重要，因为他们会就电子烟对口腔健康的潜在危害向患者提供指导。电子烟的使用与多种口腔健康问题有关。对科索沃的189名牙医（包括普通牙医和专科医生）进行了一项横断面调查。问卷评估了参与者对电子烟获得美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）批准情况的知晓度、他们对健康影响的认知以及对电子烟与龋齿、牙周病和口腔癌等口腔疾病关联的理解。使用SPSS 22对数据进行分析，显著性设定为<0.05。研究结果显示存在显著的知识差距，74.1%的受访者不确定电子烟的FDA批准情况，82.0%的受访者认识到电子烟对总体健康和口腔健康有有害影响。近一半（49.7%）的参与者认为电子烟是龋齿的潜在风险因素，而分别有66.1%和64.6%的参与者将其使用与口腔癌和牙周病联系起来。性别和专业专科并没有显著影响这些认知。牙医需要接受关于电子烟使用风险的更好教育，包括其对口腔健康的有害影响。将这些知识纳入牙科课程和专业培训对于为牙医提供有效建议患者所需的信息至关重要。通过牙科保健专业人员提高公众意识有助于降低与电子烟相关的口腔健康风险。
