Rubina Mumtaz.
Tobacco cessation and the dental profession.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;17(1):45-50.

Tobacco is an established leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of tobacco use in the developed world is declining but unfortunately the reverse is true for developing countries. Pakistan is one of the four most rapidly growing tobacco markets in the Asia-Pacific region. As oral health professionals, knowledge of the oral ramifications of tobacco use and its cessation strategies is eminent. The oral manifestations of tobacco use covers a range of implications from mild to moderate morbidity that lead to a diminished quality of life to potentially fatal conditions such as oral cancers. Tobacco cessation is a central part of the practice of dentistry since the oral cavity is the first site that reveals tobacco use and dentists are the only health professionals who frequently see `healthy` patients. The WHO/FDI Tobacco Cessation Advocacy Guide specifically designed for oral health professionals details the 4A`s (Ask, Advise, Arrange and Assist); steps of interventions that can be incorporated into daily practice. Given that most tobacco-induced oral disease are reversible if addressed within time, it is mandatory for all dentists to acquire and apply the requisite knowledge and skills in identifying oral ramifications of tobacco use and its cessation strategies.

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