Dentists in North India: Their Views on Helping Patients Quit Tobacco

You might think that dentists are only about teeth, but they can also play a big role in helping people quit smoking. A recent online survey in North India checked how private dental practitioners feel about giving tobacco cessation counseling and using nicotine replacement therapy. They wanted to find out what stops these dentists from helping their patients kick the habit. The survey was done using a questionnaire with 33 questions, which the dentists filled out themselves. A total of 250 dentists took part, and their answers were looked at using a software called SPSS Version 23. The results were shared according to the CHERRIES criteria for online surveys. Some dentists might not be comfortable talking to their patients about quitting smoking. They could have many reasons for this, like not knowing enough about it or not feeling confident. But it's important to remember that dentists can make a real difference. They see their patients regularly and can offer support and advice. Another thing to think about is that not all dentists might know about nicotine replacement therapy. This is a way to help people quit smoking by replacing the nicotine they get from cigarettes with something safer. If dentists don't know about this, they can't suggest it to their patients. So, what can be done to help dentists help their patients quit smoking? Maybe more training and information about tobacco cessation could make a difference. And who knows, maybe one day all dental clinics will have posters and leaflets about quitting smoking.