ADA resources help dentists, patients
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Posted Jan. 11, 2007 |
The American Dental Association has long been active in promoting tobacco cessation and prevention, beginning with policy to inform the membership and the public of the health hazards of tobacco products that was first adopted in 1964.
"Many dentists may not be aware of all the information and materials available on tobacco control through the ADA," said Dr. Vincent Filanova, chair, ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. "Smoking can be a difficult subject to broach with patients, and ADA resources can help dentists break the ice with patients."
Dr. Filanova, a dentist in Amsterdam, N.Y., says dentists should "not only ask patients 'Do you smoke?' but also 'Would you like to quit?' It's a very easy thing to ask and there is lots of information and groups that you can access through the ADA that can help."
The ADA offers dentists and the public a variety of resources, many of which are showcased in newly updated tobacco cessation pages on ADA.org.
Log on to www.ada.org/goto/quitsmoking to find the latest information on the effects of alcohol and tobacco, smoking cessation strategies to help your patients, tobacco FAQs, links to other recognized resources for professionals and patients and national health promotions that address tobacco cessation, such as Kick Butt's Day and The Great American Smokeout.
The ADA Annual Catalog also offers a variety of brochures, posters, flip guide and video/DVD materials, including resources in Spanish, to help dentists' tobacco cessation and prevention efforts in the dental office. Call toll-free, 1-800-947-4746 or log on to www.adacatalog.org.
In November 2006, the ADA concluded a four-year continuing education program, "Dentist Saves Patient's Life: Early Detection of Oral Cancer and Tobacco Cessation." The course, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, was developed and presented 64 times in locations nationwide. Nearly 4,300 participants completed the course and a post-session survey.
Since 2004, the ADA has offered a variety of additional continuing education opportunities on tobacco control and/or oral cancer for dental professionals, including seven Journal of the American Dental Association Online CE courses. Since 2000, JADA has published almost three-dozen related articles and supplements and the ADA News has published more than 70 related articles. The ADA has also produced 12 video news releases, 14 news releases and eight e-publications featuring tobacco- and oral cancer-related topics.
JADA and ADA News articles, as well as many other articles on tobacco control are available from the ADA Library. Articles are available by mail or e-mail. Contact the ADA Library toll-free, Ext. 2653, for more information.
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