A COMMUNITY VIEW OF SMOKING CESSATION COUNSELING IN THE PRACTICES OF PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS

The practice norms of community physicians and dentists in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania for counseling about smoking cessation were sur veyed. In addition, 1,373 residents in the valley were interviewed by telephone about the smoking counseling behaviors of their dentists and physicians. These activities were conducted as part of the planning f or an intervention by the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Valley, a coaliti on of 100 persons and organizations in the area.The survey response ra te for 172 physicians was 77 percent, and for 103 dentists, it was 76 percent. More physicians than dentists advised patients to quit, couns eled patients, provided materials, and helped the patient to set a qui t date. However, there was a clear discrepancy between what physicians say they do and what smokers say they hear.