Analysis of knowledge, perceptions and self-confidence regarding tobacco control among graduating dental students in Portugal.

Abstract

In the 20th century, a tobacco epidemic killed about 100 million people worldwide and kills more than 8 million people each year(1). Adverse effects of tobacco on oral health are well documented(2). The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recommends the integration of guidelines into health systems for tobacco prevention, cessation, treatment (TPCT)(3). In this context, oral health programmes may have as priority integration of these guidelines into primary schools, because oral health professionals have the greatest access to young and "healthy" smokers and eventually longer than others to advise Smoking. However, it is rare for professionals to address tobacco habits with their patients. The main barriers to the implementation of these interventions are a lack of knowledge and skills about a TPCT, as well as a lack of guidance in oral health programs(3). Portugal signed the WHO FCTC in 2004 approving it and transposing it into national legislation in 2005. The General Directorate of Health (DGS), in the National Health Plan 2012-2016 considers smoking a priority health problem creating, the National Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2012. In this context, DGS implemented a study on the acquisition of professional competencies in the TPCT area during the last year of the Dental Medicine course. This study aims to analyze attitudes, knowledge, perceptions and self-confidence to intervene in the PCTT, among students of the Master's degree in Dental Medicine (DM).