Why Smoking Cessation Matters in Dentistry

Dental teams play a vital role in supporting patients to quit smoking. Even a brief conversation during a routine appointment can have a significant impact.

The Dental Team’s Role

Dental teams are in a unique position to:

• Ask every patient about their tobacco use.
• Advise on the oral and general health benefits of quitting.
• Assist by providing brief interventions, discussing treatment options, and prescribing NRT where appropriate.
• Refer patients to local stop smoking services such as Help Me Quit.

These brief interventions are highly effective and help patients access specialist behavioural support and free stop smoking medications.

Training and Education for Dental Teams

To support high-quality patient care, dental teams are encouraged to access up-to-date training on smoking cessation:

• NCSCT (National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training)
  • Free evidence-based training modules, including Very Brief Advice (VBA) and intensive behavioural support.
  • CPD-accredited courses tailored for all healthcare professionals, including dental teams.
• Delivering Better Oral Health Toolkit (Chapter 11: Smoking and Tobacco Use)
  • Practical, evidence-based guidance for dental teams on prevention and patient advice.
• NICE Guideline NG209: Tobacco – preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence
  • The latest national recommendations on supporting patients of all ages to quit.
• WHO Clinical Treatment Guideline for Tobacco Cessation (2024)
  • International standards on behavioural support and pharmacotherapy.
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Patient Referral: Help Me Quit (NHS Wales)

Help Me Quit is the national NHS Wales stop smoking service. It offers:

• Free behavioural support (face-to-face, telephone, or virtual).
• Free access to nicotine replacement therapy and prescription-only medications.
• Support delivered by trained advisors, with flexible appointment options.

How to refer:

• Dental teams can directly refer patients via Help Me Quit referral pathways.
• Patients can self-refer by calling 0800 085 2219 or visiting the Help Me Quit website.

Resources & Tools for Dental Teams

Below are key links to evidence, training, and support resources:

• Training & Guidance
  • NCSCT training and resources
  • Delivering Better Oral Health Toolkit – Smoking and Tobacco Use
  • NICE Guideline NG209
  • WHO Tobacco Cessation Guideline 2024
• Welsh & UK Data
  • Public Health Wales Smoking Data Tool
  • ONS Smoking Habits in Great Britain
  • NHS Smoking Cessation Services in Wales (latest statistics)
• Referral Services
  • Help Me Quit – patient information
  • Help Me Quit – services in your area