[Stage progression of dental patients following brief interventions for smoking cessation]

Potential effects of brief intervention for smoking cessation were evaluated by examination of stage progression with respect to quitting the habit in dental patients.

Stage progression was retrospectively evaluated in 25 patients undergoing brief interventions since April 2001 at a university dental hospital. Stage of cessation was requested prior to and following interventions (June to December 2003) according to the modification method of Prochaska's model. Brief interventions were conducted by indication of effects of smoking in the mouth and on dental treatment at each visit. Cessation techniques were explained in instances where subjects displayed an interest in smoking cessation.

The intervals between dental visits varied (1-6 months). Prior to intervention, numbers of patients in the pre-contemplation, contemplation and preparation stages were 15, 5 and 5, respectively; this changed to 6, 2 and 1, respectively, following intervention, with 16 participants attempting smoking cessation, and 9 reporting continued abstinence. Stage progression was noted in 18 subjects. In the remaining 7 patients, 6 in the pre-contemplation and 1 in the contemplation stage, no change was registered. More than half of the patients (11/20) who had not prepared for cessation prior to intervention and all patients (5/5) in the preparation period reported smoking cessation following the brief interventions.

Brief interventions in dental practice can induce smoking cessation in patients.