Effect of a collaborative intervention by pharmacists and dentists on smoking cessation

To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured interprofessional smoking cessation intervention delivered by pharmacists and dentists.

A single-arm quasi-experimental, pre-post interventional study was conducted among adult smokers attending a university dental clinic. The program combined behavioral counseling (WHO 5A's and motivational interviewing), optional Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), dental reinforcement, and digital follow-up via WhatsApp. Participants were followed at 3 and 6 months. Outcomes included smoking cessation or reduction, nicotine dependence (Fagerström Test), and biochemical verification using exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and salivary cotinine (COT). Statistical analyses included chi-square, paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests with effect size = r; significance was set at p < 0.05.

One-hundred-forty participants enrolled in the program. At 3 months, 34 participants achieved abstinence and 21 reduced smoking; at 6 months, 30 achieved abstinence and 28 reduced smoking. Mean CO levels decreased significantly from 17.42 ± 10.90 ppm to 13.56 ± 12.21 ppm at 6 months (p < 0.001; r = 0.58). Nicotine dependence scores declined from 4.91 ± 2.69 to 4.16 ± 2.99 at 6 months (p = 0.042; r = 0.27). Among reducers, daily cigarette consumption decreased by over 50% at both follow-ups (p < 0.001; r = 0.88). At 6 months, cessation and reduction rates were significantly higher with counseling + NRT compared to counseling alone (p = 0.019; r = 0.31).

This program utilizing complementary interprofessional roles of pharmacists and dentists was associated with improvements in smoking cessation outcomes, particularly when combining behavioral and pharmacological approaches. This model offered a plausible strategy to overcome individual professional barriers to enhance tobacco cessation, and supported integrating pharmacists into non-traditional clinical settings.