Tobacco cessation in the dental office.

Evidence-based tobacco-cessation guidelines when used by clinicians are effective in reducing tobacco use and obtaining successful quits by patients. Dentists have been encouraged to provide instruction and intervention on tobacco cessation in the dental office. The dental provider is in the unique position to relate oral findings to the patient and to provide advice to tobacco-using patients to quit. In addition, dentists are able to assess patients' self-addiction and level of readiness to quit tobacco use. With this information, dentists can assist in helping patients to stop using tobacco by providing appropriate pharmacotherapeutic aid and thus improve their oral and overall health.