The position paper was accepted by the group after discussion and agreement on adapting the introduction and adding literature sections to show the evidence of smoking cessation methods and nicotine replacement therapies.

Scope and Questions

Smoking is an important issue and a recognized risk factor for both general and oral health. Therefore, smoking cessation should be carried out by all health professionals. Smoking cessation can only be considered within the holistic approach to the patient. The dental team should be educated and trained with the basic skills needed to deliver predictable healthcare. The dental hygienist can play a major role in identifying the target groups (non-smoker, smoker, ex-smoker) and in initiating the smoking cessation process when indicated. For educational reasons there is a strong reason to link smoking cessation with other topics such as risk management/assessment (incl. systemic conditions), diet and oral hygiene that are covered in this workshop.