Engaging Patients in Tobacco Cessation Resources in Dental Settings

A Clinic-randomized Trial of a Clinical Decision Support System to Improve Dental Provider Delivery of Brief Tobacco Interventions and Quitline Referrals

The overarching goal of this project is to reduce smoking-associated morbidity and mortality by increasing the number of patients who are referred for tobacco cessation counseling. Using a stratified, group-randomized, controlled, 2-arm trial conducted in two settings, the investigators will compare smoking-related clinical decision support (CDS) to usual care.

This project aims to reduce smoking-associated morbidity and mortality by increasing the number of patients who are referred for tobacco cessation counseling. The study team will evaluate the effectiveness of clinical decision support (CDS) to improve dental provider delivery of brief tobacco interventions and referrals to tobacco quitlines for further tobacco counseling. The CDS will generate personalized, evidence-based recommendations for dentists and dental hygienists to actively engage their smoking patients in the course of usual dental care. Subsequently, the study team will assess the tobacco cessation actions of smokers using patient-centered outcomes.

DENTAL STUDENTS AND DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS

Inclusion Criteria:

• 3rd and 4th year predoctoral students or dental hygiene students enrolled at selected dental schools

PRIVATE PRACTICE DENTISTS & HYGIENISTS

Inclusion Criteria:

• General practice dentists or dental hygienists practicing at selected private practice clinics

Exclusion Criteria:

• Providers not able or willing to record current tobacco use status in their electronic health record
• Providers affiliated with selected dental schools who hold a current teaching or clinical position

PATIENTS

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current cigarette smokers

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients requesting to opt out of research