Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding Nicotine Replacement Therapy among Dental Students in Karnataka

BACKGROUND Organized dentistry has recognized the role of oral health professionals in discouraging tobacco use. Unexplored level of knowledge regarding the benefits and prescription of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) have aroused interest among us which initiated us to assess the knowledge and perception of dental students toward NRT among various dental colleges in Karnataka, South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was done among 16 selected colleges in Karnataka. It was distributed for 3(rd) year, final year, and interns. The study group provided answers to 14 item close-ended questionnaire. The first dimension obtained information on sex, age, course and year of study, and other dimension on forms in which NRT's are supplied, effectiveness of NRT's, side effects of NRT's, rate of success of NRT's, electronic cigars, and recommendations of NRT's. Statistical analysis was done using frequency distribution of responses. RESULTS A total of 1984 undergraduate students from Dental Colleges in Karnataka responded to the questionnaire. Most of the students were unaware about NRT term and its forms. Most of the students were aware about the effectiveness of NRT's (54%) for the rescue of the smokers to quit and felt transdermal patch (42%) could be the most effective way for smokers to quit followed by chewing gums, respectively. More than half of the respondents (53.5%) were unaware of E-cigar's and also felt that NRT's and Counseling cumulatively can contribute for cessation of the tobacco habit. CONCLUSION A large proportion of dental students in this part of the country were unaware about NRT.