A practical guide to tobacco cessation in dental offices.

Tobacco use is an important risk factor for advanced periodontitis, poor response to periodontal therapy, oral neoplasms, and dental implant failure. Given the effect of tobacco use on oral health, the dental office may be an ideal place for tobacco cessation intervention, especially since a large proportion of smokers visit their dentist on a regular basis. This paper reviews various tobacco cessation strategies for the dental office and provides practical information on assessing patients' readiness to quit and choosing appropriate tobacco cessation interventions.