Smoking has many devastating impacts on the human body, including on the oral cavity. As members of the dental team, we are in an ideal position to support patients through their quitting journey due to the regular contact we have with them over extended periods of time. Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. It is based on research showing that if you quit for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit permanently. This provides an excellent opportunity to motivate patients to quit.
Research has shown that smokers who have received smoking cessation advice from dental teams alongside an oral examination are more than twice as likely to quit compared to smokers who have received no intervention (UK Health Security Agency, 2015). This highlights that there is real value in taking the time to give cessation advice.
Such interventions can be in the form of Very Brief Advice (VBA), which is opportunistically giving simple advice in less than 30 seconds – see Figure 1 (UK Health Security Agency, 2015). VBA is a great way to establish a patient’s smoking status, raise the issue of tobacco use and gauge interest in quitting.
The adverse effects of smoking on general and oral health should be discussed with patients; the increased risk of numerous conditions, such as lung and oral cancers, periodontal disease, and respiratory/cardiovascular diseases should be explained. Additionally, the significant immediate and long-term health benefits of stopping can be used as a motivation tool. These benefits include the improved aesthetic appearance of teeth, reduced halitosis and risk of tooth loss, greater life expectancy and saving money.
Furthermore, patients can be signposted to appropriate services – for example, their local Stop Smoking Service or their GP – to discuss the suitability of nicotine replacement therapies. You can also encourage patients to download apps such as the Stoptober App or NHS Quit Smoking to kickstart their quitting journey.
Dental nurses are well-placed to offer an extra layer of support to those looking to quit and can encourage patients to take the first step. The Stoptober campaign facilitates people finding the best way of quitting for them, offering support and guidance, which is vital in enabling the desired outcome. Your practice website or social media pages are also great resources to advertise Stoptober and raise awareness on where to access help and information. Posters are available online to download, and these can be displayed in the practice. Leaflets can also be passed on to patients.
The associations between tobacco use and oral diseases are now well-recognised. By dedicating time to educating patients on the harmful effects of smoking and reinforcing prevention messages, we can make a significant difference and help to improve the long-term quality of life. The dental team has an important responsibility to empower patients in trying to quit and equip them with the right information and guidance to take action and get involved with Stoptober.
References
UK Health Security Agency (2015) Health Matters – the role of dental teams in smoking cessation. Available at: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2015/09/15/health-matters-the-role-of-dental-teams-in-smoking-cessation/ (Accessed: 28 September 2022).
Written by Sahajta Chauhan
