Assessment of Tobacco Cessation Awareness Among Dental Patients in Rural Versus Urban Areas

Background: Tobacco use remains a significant public health concern in both rural and urban populations, contributing to a wide array of oral and systemic health complications. Dental professionals play a pivotal role in identifying and educating patients about the risks of tobacco use and facilitating cessation. However, awareness levels and accessibility to cessation support may vary between rural and urban populations. This study aims to assess and compare the awareness of tobacco cessation among dental patients in rural and urban settings. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted over a period of three months across two dental clinics—one located in an urban setting and the other in a rural area. A total of 400 patients were recruited (200 urban, 200 rural). A structured and validated questionnaire assessed awareness regarding the health risks of tobacco, knowledge of cessation methods, and attitude towards quitting. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed to determine significant differences between groups, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: Out of the total 400 participants, 58% of urban patients demonstrated high awareness of tobacco-related health risks compared to 34% in the rural group. Knowledge of cessation aids like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counseling was reported in 42% of urban respondents and only 18% of rural respondents. Willingness to quit tobacco use within the next six months was significantly higher among urban participants (64%) than rural participants (39%) (P = 0.002). The difference in awareness and readiness to quit between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: The study reveals a considerable disparity in tobacco cessation awareness between urban and rural dental patients. Targeted educational and cessation interventions tailored to rural populations are essential to bridge this gap and promote healthier behaviors across all demographics.