Dental Student's Awareness and Perception toward Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Riyadh Region Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Dentists have a greater role in tobacco cessation and counseling. Dental institution is a platform from where they can inculcate the habit of tobacco counseling. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) aims to reduce motivation to consume tobacco and the physiological and psychomotor withdrawal symptoms through the delivery of nicotine. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess dental students' awareness and perception toward NRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done on 348 dental students studying in different universities in Riyadh Region, KSA. Questions related to awareness of NRT, perception, and motivation to use NRT were asked. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; Chi-square test was used to compare results according to the year of study. RESULTS: About 74.4% of participants were aware of NRT nearly 50% of students think motivating about NRT is waste of time. About 65.2% of the students think it is difficult to quit smoking. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to consider programs giving importance about tobacco cessation and NRT among dental students.