New guide to help dentists encourage smokers to quit is launched, UK

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 30 Jun 2004 - 14:00 PDT


The British Dental Association (BDA) and the Health Development Agency (HDA) today launched a new guide outlining the simple, practical ways that dentists can help people in their efforts to quit smoking. The guide, 'Helping smokers stop. A guide for the dental team' provides all the information dental practitioners need to play a major role in smoking prevention.

The new guide highlights the evidence that just brief advice from a dentist can increase a smoker's chance of quitting and encourages dentists to incorporate the four A's approach into their daily clinical practice:

1. ASK all patients about their smoking status

2. ADVISE all smokers to stop

3. ARRANGE referral to local NHS Stop Smoking Service

4. ASSIST by providing support and encouragement to quit
A handy pull-out poster is included in the guide as a quick reference tool for dentists to the four A's method. The guide also provides dentists with information they need to give effective advice to their patients on the dangers of smoking tobacco on general health and the impact that smoking has on oral health.

Paul Streets, Chief Executive of the Health Development Agency, said:

"We're talking about preventing illnesses and saving lives here - just simple interventions such as asking patients routinely about their smoking habits is proven to help people quit.

"With NHS Stop Smoking Services becoming more widespread in recent years, dentists and other primary healthcare professionals can refer smokers to these services and make a real difference to a major public health challenge."

Ian Wylie, Chief Executive of the British Dental Association, said:

"Smoking has a profound effect on oral health. At the very least smoking discolours teeth; at worst it can lead to mouth cancer and kill. Any measure that encourages smokers to quit is welcome. By giving dentists and other members of the dental team the information they need to assist their patients in giving up, this guide will serve as a valuable aid to public health."

'Helping smokers stop. A guide for the dental team' also contains a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) component which will act as an incentive for future action. 3.5 hours of verifiable CPD points will be obtainable by answering questions listed in the guide.

The BDA/HDA publication, 'Helping smokers stop. A guide for the dental team' is available at http://www.hda-online.org.uk/documents/helping_smokers_stop.pdf or by calling 0870 121 4194.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The Health Development Agency http://www.hda.nhs.uk is the national authority on what works to improve people's health and to reduce health inequalities. We work in partnership across sectors to support informed decision making at all levels and the development of effective practice.

2. The British Dental Association is the trade union and professional association for dentists practicing in the UK, representing 20,000 members working in all aspects of dentistry.

HDA press office contact: Sophie Davison or James Thomson, (UK)020 7061 3125/3108.
BDA press office contact: John Hilsdon, (UK) 020 7563 4145.

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