Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Tobacco use is the primary reason for preventable deaths. Reducing tobacco use among the general population is pivotal in decreasing the burden of non-communicable diseases, and dentists are in a unique position to provide tobacco cessation services. Methods: This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) enrolled 78 dentists engaged in private practice at Puducherry for more than one year. Participants were randomly assigned to either Intervention group who received a capacity building intervention and control group that received posters on the 5As of tobacco cessation. Baseline and post intervention assessments measured knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, practice behaviours and barriers related to tobacco cessation counselling using ProSCiTE tool. Results: The analysis was done by intention to treat and per protocol methods. Difference in Differences (DID) analysis was performed to compare the change between the study groups using independent t-test. No significant differences in knowledge and attitude were observed, but improvement was seen in scores of self-efficacy [Mean difference 2.72 (-1.55 to 6.98)] and practice behavior [Mean difference 3.49 (-1.35 to 8.32)] after the intervention. Conclusion: Tailored training programs and evidence-based guidelines could address identified barriers and empower dentists to play a more impactful role in tobacco cessation efforts, contributing to just and sustainable healthcare systems.
Aroquiadasse, M. , Lakshminarayanan, S. , Kar, S. Sekhar and Kubendiran, R. (2025). Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (), -.
MLA
Aroquiadasse, M. , , Lakshminarayanan, S. , , Kar, S. Sekhar, and Kubendiran, R. . "Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India", Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, , , 2025, -.
HARVARD
Aroquiadasse, M., Lakshminarayanan, S., Kar, S. Sekhar, Kubendiran, R. (2025). 'Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (), pp. -.
CHICAGO
M. Aroquiadasse , S. Lakshminarayanan , S. Sekhar Kar and R. Kubendiran, "Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India," Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (2025): -,
VANCOUVER
Aroquiadasse, M., Lakshminarayanan, S., Kar, S. Sekhar, Kubendiran, R. Developing a Sustainable Model for Tobacco Cessation by Integrating Dental Professionals: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Intervention in Pondicherry, India. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2025; (): -.