When you have patients who smoke or use any form of tobacco, ask them if they have an interest in quitting, and if so, would they like some help.

Have those who are interested fill out a Tobacco Use Assessment Form.

The discussion with your patients can be brief but should include the effects of smoking on periodontal disease and the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle.

On the back of the Tobacco Use Assessment Form are the Brief Tobacco Cessation Intervention protocols. Follow the outline so that you Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange for follow-up to encourage and support your patients in their attempts to quit.

Provide your patients with self-help pamphlets.

Refer them to our tobacco cessation clinic if they are interested in individual counseling and long- term follow-up. Give them the pamphlet explaining the program.

Refer them to the free MN Tobacco telephone quitline (QuitPlan 1-888-354-PLAN) and give them the pamphlet explaining the helpline.

If they are interested in other quit smoking support programs give them the sheet that lists these programs.

If your patient is interested in nicotine replacement therapy, or Zyban, contact me for some suggestions. I would be happy to help you discuss this with the patient.

Be sure to follow-up with your tobacco using patients who are interested in quitting. Your continued encouragement and support are important.

In the progress notes record 'tobacco cessation discussed' and list any pharmacotherapy recommended or prescribed and use the ADA code D1320 to indicate that this is for the control and prevention of oral disease.

Dental students and the senior dental hygiene students are required to do at least one tobacco cessation intervention before graduation.