AUTHOR(S): Rajeshwar Digra

ABSTRACT:Background Tobacco use is the Chief avoidable cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and is associated with the increased risk of oral cancer, periodontal disease and other oral conditions. Health professional including dentist are the role model for society and for their patients but involvement of health professional in tobacco consumption is major barrier in conducting tobacco cessation program. Objective To determine knowledge and Attitude towards tobacco consumption and cessation among the dental fraternity of Panchkula district, Haryana. Methodology Self-administered close-ended questionnaires were given to the participants to assess the habits and attitude towards the tobacco consumption and cessation activities. The questionnaire was prepared by the investigator, containing 23 questions regarding knowledge, attitude and cessation practice of tobacco consumption. Descriptive statistics using Frequency distributions and percentages were generated for all questions. Pearson chi-square statistics were used to derive p-value for group difference in proportion. Statistical significance level was set at p=0.05. Results Habit of tobacco consumption among dental fraternity was near about 10% among the all subjects where as males were main consumer and only 1% female found to be tobacco consumers. Mean age of initiation tobacco was found to be 18 year. Smoking form of tobacco consumption found to be 68%.Stress (28%) found to be common cause of initiations of tobacco consumption and college campus (40%) was preferable place of smoking. However 70% of the subjects were in favor of banning tobacco in the country. 91% subjects agreed with the fact that it is their responsibility to help their patients in quitting tobacco habits. 90.9% of the respondents feel that Tobacco use cessation (TUC) training should be a part of dental curriculum. Conclusion Being a health professional, it is duty of dental fraternity to find a role model within themselves for the society as well as for patients. Encourage themselves as well as patients to quit tobacco use for better health.

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