The prescription of transdermal nicotine patches for tobacco-using dental patients: current status in Indiana

Abstract

As Indiana dentists become involved in office-based smoking cessation efforts, they can prescribe the recently-developed Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved nicotine transdermal patch delivery systems for their smoking patients who wish to overcome nicotine addiction. This article reviews the evolutionary and scientific development of transdermal nicotine patch systems within an oral health setting. It discusses dental office-based cessation programs which have been designed by faculty members at the Indiana University School of Dentistry and by dentists who work with the National Cancer Institute. Finally, it presents the rationale for patch usage and specific techniques which are utilized in prescribing and monitoring this medication.