• Mai E Khalaf, Sharon Curtin, and Anna O Apos Reilly Trace.
• Department of General Dental Practice, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait, mai.k@hsc.edu.kw.
• Med Princ Pract. 2020 Jan 1; 29 (1): 697469-74.

ObjectivesAn assessment of dental students' attitudes and perceptions towards smoking, and their role in smoking cessation, needs to be understood to develop an effective training program in smoking cessation counseling. The aim of the study was to understand attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of students towards their role in smoking cessation, to understand students' self-reported requirements in relation to skills and knowledge prior to training, and to understand students' self-reported learning from training.Materials And MethodsDental students (n = 46) in clinical training at the Kuwait University's Faculty of Dentistry participated in this study. Prior to the training on smoking cessation, an evaluation of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge was conducted. The students also completed a pre- and post-classroom assessment technique (CAT). Descriptive analysis of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge towards smoking and their role in smoking cessation was evaluated. A qualitative content analysis of the students' responses to a CAT was conducted.ResultsNinety-eight percent of the students showed willingness to perform a brief smoking cessation intervention; 62% of the students perceived their role in smoking cessation as difficult; and 95% agreed that leaders in the profession expected them to engage in a smoking cessation intervention. Four categories from the pre-CAT responses were generated: how to influence; effective communication skills; bolster knowledge and understanding; and intrapersonal skills. Analysis of the post-CAT responses identified the following three categories: patient-centered communication; gaining self confidence in skills set; and support frameworks.ConclusionsStudents need more client-centered skills and knowledge to bolster their confidence in cessation counseling.© 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

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