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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Jul;100(7):1307-12.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.181214. Epub 2010 May 13.

Tobacco cessation via public dental clinics: results of a randomized trial

Judith S Gordon  1 , Judy A Andrews, David A Albert, Karen M Crews, Thomas J Payne, Herbert H Severson
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Tobacco cessation via public dental clinics: results of a randomized trial

Judith S Gordon et al. Am J Public Health. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to compare the effectiveness of a dental practitioner advice and brief counseling intervention to quit tobacco use versus usual care for patients in community health centers on tobacco cessation, reduction in tobacco use, number of quit attempts, and change in readiness to quit.

Methods: We randomized 14 federally funded community health center dental clinics that serve diverse racial/ethnic groups in 3 states (Mississippi, New York, and Oregon) to the intervention (brief advice and assistance, including nicotine replacement therapy) or usual care group.

Results: We enrolled 2549 smokers. Participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher abstinence rates at the 7.5-month follow-up, for both point prevalence (F(1,12) = 6.84; P < .05) and prolonged abstinence (F(1,12) = 14.62; P < .01) than did those in the usual care group.

Conclusions: The results of our study suggest the viability and effectiveness of tobacco cessation services delivered to low-income smokers via their dental health care practitioner in community health centers. Tobacco cessation services delivered in public dental clinics have the potential to improve the health and well-being of millions of Americans.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Participant flow and response rates from 14 community health center dental clinics: Mississippi, New York, and Oregon, 2006–2008.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Report of the Surgeon General: Tobacco Use Among US Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1998
    1. Tomar S. Assessment of the dental public health infrastructure in the United States. 2004. Available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/ExecutiveSummary.htm. Accessed August 17, 2009 - PubMed
    1. American Dental Association Summary of policy and recommendations regarding tobacco 1964—present. 2009. Available at: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/tobac.asp. Accessed August 17, 2009
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    1. Tobacco use and periodontal disease [American Academy of Periodontology Web page] Available at: http://www.perio.org/consumer/smoking.htm. Accessed October 15, 2007.

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