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Tobacco use quitline enrollment through dental practices: a pilot study
Jon O Ebbert1, Alan B Carr, Christi A Patten
1Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. ebbert.jon@mayo.edu
Summary
Dental practices can help patients quit smoking by referring them to tobacco use quitlines. This pilot study found referrals feasible, with higher abstinence rates for patients completing more quitline consultations.
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Public health
- Smoking cessation
Background:
- Limited time and resources hinder dental professionals from assisting patients with smoking cessation.
- Dental providers can leverage tobacco use quitlines to support patients who smoke.
- A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of dental practice referrals to quitlines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of dental practices referring patients to tobacco use quitlines.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of this referral strategy in smoking cessation.
Main Methods:
- Eight general dental practices were randomized.
- Practices provided either brief counseling or brief counseling plus quitline referrals.
- Patients receiving routine dental hygiene care who smoked were enrolled.
Main Results:
- 82 patients were enrolled (60 in quitline group, 22 in counseling group).
- Six-month abstinence rates were similar: 25.0% (quitline) vs. 27.3% (counseling).
- 47% of the quitline group completed the initial consultation; higher completion correlated with better abstinence.
Conclusions:
- Referral to tobacco use quitlines is a feasible smoking cessation strategy for dental practices.
- Establishing efficient links between dental practices and quitlines is crucial for success.
- Further research is needed to compare quitline referrals with standard clinical interventions.
