title: Smoking cessation practices in the dental setting.
abstract: According to the US Centers for Disease Control, approximately 20.6% of the American adult population currently smokes cigarettes. There is no doubt that tobacco use has a negative effect on oral and general health. Dentists can be effective in assessing their patients' smoking status, health beliefs, and related behavior patterns. A total of 608 patients-smokers, former smokers, and nonsmokers-participated in this study. The Five A's protocol was utilized with follow-up interviews to assess smoking cessation (quit rates) among the patients. Of the 608 subjects, 170 (28%) were current smokers, 140 (23%) were former smokers, and 298 (49%) had never smoked. Females comprised 56% of the study group. Of the 170 smokers who were assessed at baseline, successful follow-ups were performed with 64 (38%). Based on a follow-up of these smokers, the 7-day abstinence quit rate was 22%. Among participants who received nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), 40% quit. Of the participants who did not receive NRT, 19% quit.
authors.forename: Yoly M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lozier
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: 5A's; health belief; smoking; smoking cessation