Influence of dental education in motivational interviewing on the efficacy of interventions for smoking cessation

Abstract

Aim: To test whether education of dental students in motivational interviewing (MI) for smoking cessation counselling will increase the number of patients and students who quit smoking and will improve knowledge and attitudes of dental students towards tobacco cessation counselling.

Methods: Over 2 years, during four successive undergraduate periodontal courses, student groups received either no education in MI or MI with increasing quality and extent of the education. Smoking habits were assessed before, and 1, 6 and 12 months after periodontal treatment by means of a questionnaire. In the same way, attitudes and knowledge related to tobacco cessation and the perceived quality of the education in MI of the students were evaluated.

Results: A significant reduction in smokers was achieved only in the group of students receiving the most extensive MI education followed by a formative assessment: 20% quit rate after 1 year for patients and 39% for students. Owing to MI education, the knowledge of the students on the relationship between smoking and periodontitis increased from 33% without MI to over 96% in the groups with MI.

Conclusion: Engaging dental students in smoking cessation with MI has promise when incorporated in the periodontal education.