Impacts of smoking on oral health—what is the role of the dental team in smoking cessation?

Abstract

Data sources: electronic searches were conducted on databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar). In addition, websites of national organisations (US Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) were also searched.

Study selection: to achieve the objectives of the study, systematic reviews, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published between October 2021 and February 2022 were considered.

Data extraction and synthesis: this narrative review included articles which investigated the role of Dentistry professionals and their impact on smoking cessation and the effects resulting from tobacco use on oral health.

Results: the review revealed that smokers have a significantly higher likelihood of developing oral cancer (95% CI: 3.19–6.77) compared to non-smokers. Passive smokers also have an increased risk (1.51 times) of developing oral cancer (95% CI: 1.20–1.91). Additionally, smokers have an 80% increased risk of periodontitis (RR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.43–2.31), an 85% worsened periodontal condition (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.5–2.2), and a 36.6% increase in caries prevalence (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.64–2.07). Smoking is also associated with a higher potential for dental implant failure in a dose-dependent manner. Brief educational interventions by the dental team resulted in a smoking cessation rate of 74/1000 individuals versus 27/1000 individuals in the control group. When combined with pharmacological therapy, these interventions may lead to an additional 50 to 70% increase in long-term smoking abstinence.

Conclusions: smoking is strongly linked to an increased risk of oral cancer, dental caries, implant failure, and periodontal disease. Dental teams play a vital role in identifying and addressing oral pathologies related to smoking and providing necessary care for smoking cessation. Brief educational interventions, either alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, offer valuable approaches for the dental team to support smoking cessation. However, establishing a comprehensive training and continuing education program is crucial to integrate dental professionals into a multidisciplinary smoking cessation program.

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ORCID for Bashir Abdulgader Lwaleed: orcid.org/0000-0001-5748-4892

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