Substance Use and Dependence Education in Predoctoral Dental Curricula: Results of a Survey of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about education in substance use and dependence that appears in the predoctoral curricula of U.S. and Canadian dental schools. Sixty-eight deans were sent a twenty-item survey requesting information about when in the curriculum these subjects were taught, what instructional methods were used, and whether behavior change instruction was included to address these issues in clinical interactions. The survey had an 81 percent response rate. The topics of alcohol use and dependence, tobacco use and dependence, and prescription drug misuse and abuse were reported in over 90 percent (N=55) of responding schools' predoctoral curricula. The topic of other substance use and dependence was reported in only 72.7 percent (N=40) of these schools. The primary instructional method reported was the use of lecture. Less frequently used methods included small-group instruction, instruction in school-based clinic, community-based extramural settings, and independent study. As future health professionals, dental students are an important source for patients concerning substance use, abuse, and treatment. Our investigation confirmed that alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drug abuse is addressed widely in predoctoral dental curricula, but other substance use and dependence are less frequently addressed.