In theory clinicians understand the need to address patient tobacco use. In practice many report lacking the confidence to offer tobacco control services. They feel they do not have the training, time, or financial remuneration for tobacco cessation efforts.1,2,3 With an estimated 50% of the nation’s smokers visiting the dental office annually4 and patients expecting the dentist to routinely provide cessation information1, the dental team is in an ideal position to become leaders in providing this important, life saving service. The Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, 2000 (Figure 1) Clear and easy guides for cessation treatment can be found at: http://www.guideline.gov and http://ww.ahrq.gov/clinic/
Figure 1. The Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use And Dependence has become the ‘Gold Standard’ in evidenced-based tobacco cessation interventions.
