Drinking and drug use in VDPs

Key Points

• A study of alcohol and drug use by vocational dental practitioners (VDPs).

• VDPs are using alcohol and drugs to a degree that will cause health problems.

• This paper is intended to promote a more scientific approach to the prevention, intervention and treatment of problematic alcohol and drug use in the profession.

Abstract

Objective This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in vocational dental practitioners (VDPs).

Design Anonymous self-report questionnaire.

Subjects and methods All UK vocational dental practitioners (n = 719) who started practice in the summer of 1999 were questioned on their use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other illicit drugs whilst a VDP and before graduation.

Results Eighty-nine per cent of males and 88% of females reported alcohol use. Of these, 35% of males and 36% of females drank above sensible levels (up to 21 units per week for males, 14 units for females), with 48% of males and 52% of females 'binge drinking'. Thirty-three per cent of respondents reported cannabis use whilst a VDP. Regular drug use (use at least once a month) other than cannabis whilst a VDP was found to be highest among males, with regular ecstasy use reported by 4% and regular cocaine use reported by 2%. Regular tobacco use (ten or more cigarettes per day) was reported by 9% of VDPs. Regular tobacco users were found to be six times more likely to use cannabis on a regular basis, three times more likely to use ecstasy on a regular basis and four times more likely to use cocaine on a regular basis than those VDPs who reported non regular tobacco use.

Conclusion VDPs are drinking above sensible limits, binge drinking, using tobacco and indulging in illicit drug use to a degree that will cause health problems. However, use of all substances had reduced since qualification.

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