Harm Reduction Strategies in the Dental Setting

WHO European Region has only 15% of the world's population but faces nearly one third of the worldwide tobacco-related disease burden. The adverse health effects of smoking, both fatal and non-fatal, are extensive and well-documented. Stopping smoking is the single most important action smokers can take to improve their general and oral health. Increasing adult tobacco cessation is important to improving public health. An estimated seven to ten million tobacco deaths in the WHO European Region could be avoided by 2025 if consumption was halved.

Harm reduction refers to strategies and approaches for reducing the physical and social harms associated with risk-taking behaviour. Tobacco harm reduction strategies are designed to reduce mortality and morbidity for those unable or unwilling to stop using nicotine. These involve approaches which allow users to switch to less harmful forms of nicotine.

Evidence based guidelines for the health professional's role in helping smokers stop successfully are available. These have not necessarily been reflected in the everyday dental setting. There are examples of dental smoking cessation activity which provide options for implementation. A protocol for the implementation of smoking cessation activity in the dental setting will be proposed.