Quit Tobacco: Are We Prepared?

Background: The pattern of tobacco consumption survey among the students in a private dental college in Mangalore helps us to assess the awareness and pattern of tobacco consumption among the dental students and also to assess the preparedness for tobacco control among the future health care professionals in India. Aim: To study the awareness and pattern of tobacco use among undergraduate dental students of a private dental College, at Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 dental students using a predesigned and pretested, semi-structured self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Data was analyzed by Microsoft excel and SPSS v 16.Statistical analysis comprised calculating proportion and the chi-square (χ2) test with Yates correction. Results: Among 100 participants, of which 52 students were males and 48 females, out of which 49% believed that the minimum number of cigarettes a person can smoke without causing harm to one’s health. About 89% of the students believe that it is the doctor’s duty to advice patients not to smoke or chew tobacco. 81% believe that health professional intervention would help the patient quit the habit. Conclusion: Awareness about harmful effects of tobacco abuse was good and the students feel that tobacco cessation modules should be incorporated in the dental curriculum. Given their important future role as exemplars, more effective measures to help reduce tobacco smoking among dental students are clearly needed worldwide.