Authors: Asad R , Nadeem M , Christopher M , Ahmed H , Awais F , Majeed H.A

Abstract

Background and Objective: Many chronic diseases including oral diseases, respiratory diseases, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases are directly associated with smoking. The objectives of this study were to assess the awareness regarding effects of smoking on oral health among smokers and non-smokers dental patients; and to explore the impact of socio-demographics on patient’s awareness.
Methods: A total of 854 patients were recruited for this analytical study. Patients were interviewed in private dental clinics using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. Frequencies, percentages and measures of central tendency were calculated for data. Chi-square test was rendered to comparison between non-smokers and smokers. A multiple linear regression (MLR) model was used to explore the impact of sociodemographic factors on patient’s awareness of such effects.
Results: In both groups, only few patients i.e. 20.4% and 7.7% were able to identify four to five potentially harmful effects of smoking on oral health, respectively. Smokers versus non-smokers showed significant difference (P < 0.050) in rural background, gender and educational status. Moreover, socioPsmoking impact on oral health.
Conclusion: Smokers are least aware of the harmful effects of smoking on oral health than nonsmokers. Patient awareness regarding such effects is influenced by various socio-demographic factors.

Keywords: Awareness, Smokers, Non-smokers, Oral health.