Integrating Community-Based Interventions and Medical Education to Reduce Tobacco-Related Oral Diseases: A Public Health Approach in Community Dentistry and Medicine

Background: Tobacco consumption is a major preventable cause of oral cancer, leukoplakia, and periodontal disease. This study assessed the twofold effect of community-based interventions and medical education on the reduction of oral health risks that are caused by tobacco. Methods: A community-based comparative interventional study was carried out in March-August 2024. There were 320 participants who were randomized into the Community Intervention Arm (n = 160) and the Educational Integration Arm (n = 160). Demographic factors, tobacco and oral lesions were measured at baseline. Also, 80 medical and dental students were enrolled in a teaching pilot module. Measurement of outcomes was done at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. Chi-square and t-tests were used to analyze the data with p < 0.05 being significant. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, education, tobacco use, or oral lesions between groups (all p > 0.05) at baseline. The awareness of oral risks increased from 68 (42.5%) to 125 (78.1%) participants (p = 0.002), willingness to quit increased from 51 (31.8%) to 102 (63.7%) participants (p = 0.01), and attempts of quitting improved from 12 (7.5%) to 45 (28.1%) (p = 0.03) in the area of community arm. The knowledge scores rose to 86.2% ± 8.7 (p < 0.0001) among students (n = 80), whereas counseling competency rose to 52(65.0%) (p = 0.03) compared to 28 (35.0%) initially. Conclusion: Community-based interventions integrated with educational training were very effective in increasing awareness of tobacco cessation, quit behavior and student counseling competency.