Tobacco smoking: the role of dental health professionals

Abstract

Tobacco use is a serious public health problem with smoking as the most common method of consuming tobacco. It is a major preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of tobacco smoking varies from country to country. It creates a huge economic burden on the individuals who consume it and on the healthcare system. The current approach toward the management of tobacco smoking addiction revolves around a combination of education, counselling, and pharmacotherapy. Dental professionals, such as dentists and dental therapists/hygienists have a special role in identifying smokers: odour and teeth stains are obvious revealing signs. Dentists are well placed in tobacco smoking cessation as they provide preventive and curative services on a regular basis. The regularity of visits by patients to dental clinics offer valuable contacts for dental health professionals to initiate and strengthen tobacco cessation measures. Dentists are in a unique position to motivate and assist their patients to quit tobacco use and smoking.