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Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence: The Role of the Dental Professional
Author(s) -
Walsh Margaret M.,
Ellison James A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.5.tb03940.x
Subject(s) - tobacco use , intervention (counseling) , vulnerability (computing) , health professionals , medicine , dental care , public health , family medicine , environmental health , psychology , health care , nursing , political science , population , computer security , computer science , law
The purpose of this article is to discuss tobacco use and dependence, effective treatments, and the role of the dental professional. Tobacco dependence is discussed as a chronic condition characterized by a vulnerability to relapse that persists for perhaps years. The need for ongoing rather than just acute care is highlighted. Effective treatments for tobacco dependence exist. Brief clinical intervention makes a difference. It is recommended that every dental patient who uses tobacco be offered at least one of the effective treatments available. In so doing, dental professionals can play an important role in primary prevention of adverse health effects and can have an important public health impact by helping to counter tobacco use.