Journal of dental education
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Tobacco-related health problems are the most preventable forms of illness in the United States. By assuming proactive tobacco use cessation counseling roles, dentists and dental hygienists can help reduce the number of people who currently use tobacco. The literature reports that many oral health professionals feel unprepared to assume such roles. ⋯ Variables addressed included allocated hours, subject content, scope, department responsible, workplace smoking policy, importance, and future curricular directions. Questionnaires were mailed to all dental hygiene program directors and dental school academic deans. Study findings suggest that dental and dental hygiene students receive limited tobacco use cessation education, and respondent schools have no immediate plans for curriculum change in this area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)