tobacco cessation C D A J O U R N A L , V O L 4 9 , Nº 8
C.E. Credit
Tobacco Cessation in Dental Settings: A Team-Based Approach Elizabeth T. Couch, RDH, MS, and Janelle Urata, RDH, MS
abstract Tobacco use causes harm to the entire body and is a major risk factor for oral conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth loss, implant failure and oral cancer. Given the negative oral health effects of tobacco use, the dental practice is an ideal setting for implementing brief tobacco treatment interventions and education. This article provides accessible, practical recommendations on tobacco cessation strategies for dental professionals, including all members of the practice team. Emphasized is the importance of assessing a patient’s readiness to quit and choosing appropriate interventions that meet the individual needs of the patient and practice. Key words: Tobacco use cessation, counseling, dental professionals, pharmacotherapy
AUTHORS Elizabeth T. Couch, RDH, MS, is a project policy analyst and an assistant adjunct professor in the division of oral epidemiology and dental public health at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.
Janelle Urata, RDH, MS, is a project policy analyst in the department of orofacial sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.
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obacco use negatively affects the entire body and greatly diminishes the overall health and quality of life of its users. Each year, more than 480,000 Americans and 35,000 Californians die from tobacco-related causes,1 more than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries and fire-arm related events combined.2 Moreover, tobacco users are more likely than nonusers to develop heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and cancer.1 In addition to these systemic health risks, tobacco use also has detrimental effects on the oral cavity and increases the risk of periodontal disease, tooth loss, delayed wound healing, implant failure and oral cancer.3,4
Despite steady declines in smoking rates over the last few decades, approximately 20.8% of U.S. adults (50.6 million)5 and 14.6% of California adults (4 million)6 continue to use tobacco products. Among youth in California, roughly 1 in 8 high school students currently use a tobacco product, with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) now being the most commonly used (10.9%). Significant disparities in tobacco use also exist based on race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, educational attainment, income and geographic region.6 Encouraging tobacco cessation among current users is an important strategy in reducing the burden of tobacco use among vulnerable populations and improving the overall health of the public. AUGUST 2 0 2 1
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