The Effect of Behavioural Modification Therapy on Tobacco Cessation among Patients Visiting a Dental Institution in Bangalore - A Pragmatic Study

Background: Tobacco use results in over 6 million deaths throughout the world annually. It is anticipated that by 2020, 13.3% of deaths in India will be directly related to tobacco usage, up from 1.4% in 1990. Massive initiatives that could help people quit smoking have been implemented over time. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 current tobacco users participated in the study. The Fagerstorm Nicotine Dependence scale was used to assess the extent of addiction to smoking and smokeless tobacco, and a carbon monoxide (CO) breath analyzer was used to detect carbon monoxide levels in smokers. The extent of addiction was evaluated at the beginning and at 10th, 30th, 3 months and 6 months of follow-up. Results: Participant's average addiction level on the Fagerstrom scale was 3.7 (CI = (2.6 to 4.7) for smokers at baseline, which was reduced to 2.2, CI = (1.3 to 3.1) at the end of treatment (p < .0001) and 5.4 CI = (4.5 to 6.2) for participants using smokeless tobacco at baseline, which was reduced to 2.4, CI = (1.8 to 3.1) at the end of treatment (p < .0001). Based on behavioural modification therapy (BMT) there was a significant reduction in addiction and CO levels from the baseline to 6 months of follow-up. Discussion: By using BMT and well planned follow-up, people in both groups were able to minimize their tobacco use, and the majority of participants had a favorable attitude towards the tobacco cessation program.