COUNSELING ADOLESCENTS FOR SMOKING PREVENTION - A SURVEY OF PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS

Pediatricians, family practitioners, and dentists were questioned in t he spring of 1992 about whether they counseled adolescent patients (10 through 18 years old) not to smoke. Of the 674 questionnaires distrib uted, 443 (66%) were returned and analyzed. Most practitioners could n ot estimate cigarette use among their adolescent patients. Prevention counseling occurred infrequently, and least often among younger patien ts. Physicians were more likely than dentists to counsel adolescents. The data highlight the need for continuing training of primary health care practitioners about the importance of counseling adolescents not to smoke.