Table 4 Barriers and facilitators identified by dentists and patients for tobacco cessation intervention for diabetic patients at the dental department of BIRDEM

Dentists’ perspective

1. Not having enough time to spend with the patient to give full behaviour change support on tobacco cessation due to work pressure

1. Willingness to help the patients on tobacco cessation

2. Not having clear knowledge on how to support a patient in tobacco cessation successfully

2. Willingness to learn how they can support their patients on tobacco cessation

3. Not having a clear understanding of behavioural change theory and interventions

3. Willingness to learn about behavioural change theory and interventions

4. Not having clear knowledge on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and prescribing rules for NRT

4. Willing to learn about NRT for tobacco cessation

5. No formal structure to take tobacco history from patients

5. Reputed hospital and doctors

6. No regular/ standard support structure to provide information on harmful effects of tobacco

6. Teachable moment

7. No regular/ standard support structure for tobacco cessation available

7. As the patients are registered patients with diabetes, it would be possible to track them. Most attend follow-up dental appointments

Patients’ perspective

1. Lack of knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco

2. Misperceptions: believe that ST makes teeth strong

3. Long time addiction; they will find it difficult to quit and relapse when they face negative symptoms while trying to quit

4. Not interested in quitting (especially ST)

5. Have only short time to receive advice

6. Interested in finishing their dental treatment quickly

7. Difficult to come back just to receive advice (if not matched with their other treatment/ follow-up visits)

1. Patients would like their dentist to give advice/help in tobacco cessation

2. Patients are happy to share their phone number

3. Most are willing to come back for follow-up visits if they match with their other scheduled visits