A series of lectures about tobacco use cessation are given to dental hygiene students and pre and post doctoral dental students by Dr. Eric Stafne. These lectures provide students with information about:

• The prevalence and the systemic and local effects of smoking and smokeless tobacco use.
• Smoking as a major risk factor for periodontal diseases.
• The effects of tobacco use on treatment results.
• Nicotine Addiction
• Benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle
• Stages of Change
• Clinical interventions
• Use of nicotine and non-nicotine pharmacologic therapy
• The tobacco industry influence
• The role of oral health care providers in policy and media advocacy

A protocol for brief interventions by all students with their tobacco using patients is in place in the School of Dentistry clinics. These patients are followed-up and given continued support and encouragement for their cessation efforts.

Protocols for Tobacco Use Cessation in the Clinics