Evaluation of a Comprehensive Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program: Dental Students’ Perceptions of Preparedness and Clinical Practice

The aims of this study were to assess dental students’ perceptions of their preparedness for providing treatment for tobacco dependence and to determine if their training resulted in successful practice in the dental school clinic. Since the tobacco dependence treatment program began at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, all third‐ and fourth‐year dental students have been required to complete an online survey about their attitudes and experience with tobacco dependence treatment. This descriptive study and retrospective analysis utilized these survey data from the initiation of the program in fall 2002 through 2010 (615 third‐year and 590 fourth‐year students, for a total of 1,205, all of whom participated in the surveys). The results showed that most of the students believed they were at least adequately prepared to provide treatment. The majority said they ask patients about tobacco use and advise patients about its negative health consequences, yet the average of their perception of patient interest in quitting was below 18%. Although the students reported being at least adequately prepared to assess patient interest in quitting, their assessment was much lower than the nearly 70% of U.S. tobacco users that general studies have found are interested in quitting. These students’ perception of such low patient interest reflects a misconception they may have about their own preparedness, and it suggests a barrier exists for them in providing effective tobacco dependence treatment services. This perception signals a need for curriculum and assessment changes to increase the effectiveness of this school's tobacco dependence treatment program.