Tobacco prevention and cessation in adolescents: role of oral health professionals

While dentists have a positive attitude regarding their role in tobacco cessation, the same is not extrapolated into practice. Several barriers to counseling in the dental clinic have been identified. Dental professionals can render tobacco cessation services to the youth. Brief interventions, self-help materials, and pharmacotherapy for established nicotine dependence form the mainstay of therapy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the several factors leading to tobacco initiation in adolescence and discuss the role of oral health professionals in future dependence.