Most periodontists advise their patients who smoke to quit, according to a recent online poll of periodontists conducted by the AAP...

Periodontists Encourage Patients To Quit Smoking

Tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

CHICAGO – March 2, 2000 – Most periodontists routinely advise their patients who smoke to quit, according to a recent online poll of periodontists conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Not only does smoking threaten oral health: 81 percent of respondents said their patients who smoke have less attractive smiles.

Of the 244 periodontists polled, 90 percent said they routinely ask patients about tobacco use, and 96 percent record information in patients' charts about tobacco use. The vast majority of periodontists take the next step by routinely (79 percent) or most of the time (14 percent) advising patients to quit. And, 20 percent offer smoking cessation clinics, workshops or support groups at or through their practices.

"I'm pleased that periodontists realize they can play a role in motivating patients to quit smoking," said Jack Caton, D.D.S., M.S., president of the AAP. "The medical community is being encouraged to do more to help their patients stop smoking, and I think this survey shows periodontists are moving in the right direction."

Patients seem to want the guidance. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that almost 60 percent of dental patients believed that dental offices should provide tobacco cessation services. Sometimes the effort pays off. Sixty-three percent of respondents to the AAP poll thought their efforts made an impact at least some of the time, while 13 percent thought they did most or nearly all of the time.

"Because there is an established link between smoking and periodontitis, peridontists have a professional responsibility to clearly state that smoking is one of the causes of periodontitis and that the patient should stop smoking," said one respondent. "I find that sometimes my blunt statement that smoking is a cause of periodontal disease is enough to make the patient make the effort to quit."

Other respondents said they warn patients that continued smoking makes people three times more likely to loose teeth, means periodontal treatments won't be as effective, and lowers the success rate of dental implants.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled Tobacco and Gum Disease are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3242.

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