Evaluation of a dental office tobacco cessation program: Effects on smokeless tobacco use

We describe a randomized trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a smokeless tobacco cessation intervention delivered en by dental hygienists as part of a patient's regularly scheduled cleaning visit. Seventy-five pra ctices were randomized to continue their usual care (n = 25; 239 smokeless tobacco using patients enrolled) or to receive training to provide a tobacc o cessation intervention (n = 50; 394 smokeless tobacco using patients enro lled). Patient reports indicated that the training program was successful i n getting hygienists to implement the intervention. The intervention produc ed a strong effect on sustained quitting for smokeless tobacco users but ha d no impact on secondary outcomes, including unsuccessful quit attempts, fu rture intent to quit rising smokeless tobacco, and change in readiness to q uit using. Frequency of smokeless tobacco use and receipt of specific compo nents of the intervention, including the video and written materials, predi cted sustained cessation. Since this intervention,vas delievered by dental hygienists as part of a patient's regularly scheduled cleaning visit, it is easily disseminable.