Tobacco prevention and control in dental practice: the future

Tobacco use adversely affects oral health and dental care. Globally, the health consequences of tobacco use are worsening, particularly those caused by cigarette smoking. Concerned government and nongovernmental organizations are attempting to contain the transnational tobacco companies' promotion of tobacco use and its disregard for the serious health consequences. Dependence prevents most tobacco users from easily breaking free from their high-risk behavior. Evidence-based clinical treatment methods that substantially increase quit rates are available in the Public Health Service clinical practice guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Guideline recommendations are as useful to dental clinicians as to other health care disciplines. Dental educators have a strategic role in ensuring that clinicians are well informed and are skilled in and committed to providing tobacco prevention and cessation services to their patients. Dental organizations must identify and overcome perceived and real clinician and practice barriers to adopting essential cessation services. The dental profession is in an excellent position to play a major role in several emerging issues, such as helping the public and policymakers understand the chronic nature of tobacco dependence and supporting cessation services for all people, particularly pregnant women and youths. Such messages should be presented in terms that resonate with the public because tobacco industry activities and products continue to undermine well-being, the health economy, and individual self-directed behavior of choice.

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