Intensive smoking-cessation intervention in the dental setting

Abstract

Smoking exerts detrimental effects on dental treatment and oral health. Our goal was to evaluate effectiveness in terms of the abstinence rate in smoking-cessation intervention delivered by dental professionals. Individuals who were willing to quit smoking were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a non-intervention group. Intensive intervention was provided, consisting of 5 counseling sessions, including an additional nicotine replacement regimen. Reported abstinence was verified by the salivary cotinine level. Thirty-three persons in the intervention and 23 in the non-intervention group started the trial. On an intent-to-treat basis, 3-, 6- and 12-month continuous abstinence rates in the intervention group were 51.5%, 39.4%, and 36.4%, respectively, while the rates in the non-intervention group were consistent at 13.0%. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) by logistic stepwise regression analyses were 7.1 (1.8, 28.5), 8.9 (1.7, 47.2), and 6.4 (1.3, 30.7), respectively. Intensive smoking-cessation intervention in the dental setting was therefore effective.