Approaches to Broaden Messaging about the Harms Tobacco Use

Abstract

Dentist and other health professionals can have great influence to prevent and decrease the use tobacco products, through patient visits, direct messaging and social media. A brief part of the dental and medical visit can be used for providing current, state-of-the-art research and information on the harms of e-cigarette and cigarette use and the use of smokeless tobacco products. Many studies have shown that various tobacco products contain toxicants, constituents and harmful chemicals. Variations of different combinations of tobacco-related toxicants pass through the oral mucosal tissues, enter body fluids and systems causing severe health effects. During the assessment of findings and sharing of visual materials segment of the visit, the health professional can present the information so that the patient can better understand the physiological changes that may occur systemically, and the morbidity and mortality that may be associated with long-term tobacco use. Evidence-based research on the adverse health effects of tobacco use can be shared solely with the patient, and broadly through social media.