Aim: To explore the preparedness of Greek dental university students for advising patients to quit smoking; how the awareness of the students is modified from the beginning of university studies to graduation; and how it is associated with their smoking habits.
Materials and methods: Officially registered dental students (n=165) participated in the study by completing anonymously a 16-item questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted with the use of standard univariate statistical methods, whereas multivariate analysis relied on logistic regression modelling.
Results: Students showed significant knowledge attainment on tobacco health effects from the beginning of their studies to graduation, although 54% of graduating students were not aware of an association between smoking and implant failure. More than 80% considered tobacco cessation counselling a duty of every dentist, although 32% believed it to be ineffective. Almost half of the students felt unprepared to provide tobacco counselling. Students' attitudes towards tobacco cessation counselling did not change from the beginning of their studies to graduation, although they were modified by personal smoking habits. Non-smokers were significantly more optimistic than smokers about the effectiveness of tobacco cessation activities.
Conclusions: Dental school students represent a promising baseline for education on tobacco control protocol development and clinical tobacco cessation intervention techniques.