What should we do about Patients who Smoke?

From Volume 26, Issue 6, July 1999 | Pages 227-231

Authors

I.G. Chestnutt

BDS, MPH, PhD, FDS (DPH) RCS (Edin.), DDPH RCS (Eng.)

Senior Registrar in Dental Public Health, Lanarkshire Health Board, Hamilton, Scotland

Articles by I.G. Chestnutt

Abstract

The adverse consequences of smoking on both general and oral health are well recognized. It is now accepted that brief advice from a healthcare professional is an effective aid to stopping smoking and recently interest has focused on the role of the dental team in this area. This paper provides an update on current concepts of how smokers give up and makes practical suggestions as to how smoking may be discussed in the dental clinic.

Article