Tobacco Usage: The Role of the Dental Team in Smoking Cessation

From Volume 37, Issue 1, January 2010 | Pages 55-62

Authors

Ivor G Chestnutt

BDS, MPH, PhD, FDS(DPH) RCSEd, FDS RCPSGlas, FDS RCSEng, FFPH, FHEA

Professor and Hon Consultant in Dental Public Health, Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, Cardiff University School of Dentistry, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY, UK

Articles by Ivor G Chestnutt

Abstract

Cessation of tobacco use, whether smoked or smokeless, is amongst the most significant actions a patient can take to secure their health − both oral and general. The potential role of the dental team in assisting this process is now well recognized, but the degree to which this occurs in practice is uncertain. The UK National Health Service has devoted substantial resources to the development of stop-smoking services. This article describes how the contribution of dentists and dental care professionals fits with wider public health tobacco cessation and control measures.

Article