Knowledge, attitude and practice about tobacco cessation among dental students: a single center study

Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in India, responsible for approximately 1.35 million deaths annually. Dental professionals are in a strategic position to play a crucial role in tobacco cessation through patient counselling. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding tobacco cessation counselling among dental students. Methods: A cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 198 dental students, including final-year undergraduates, interns, and postgraduates, at the Government Dental College and Hospital, Jamnagar, from December 2024 to January 2025. A pre-validated questionnaire assessed KAP domains. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20.0, with ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests to compare mean scores across groups. Results: Postgraduate students showed the highest mean scores in knowledge (9.1), attitude (4.91), and practice (5.00), followed by interns and final-year students, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). Participants cited behavioral management, communication, and time constraints as major challenges. Awareness of structured counselling models such as the 5A’s and 5R’s was limited. Conclusion: While dental students exhibited a positive attitude toward tobacco cessation, practical implementation was lacking. Incorporating structured cessation training into dental curricula and enhancing institutional cessation centers is essential to strengthen their role in tobacco control.