Barriers to tobacco cessation counseling and effectiveness of training.

The oral health care appointment provides a unique opportunity for tobacco cessation counseling (TCC). This literature review examines the effectiveness of training oral health care professionals for TCC, including the barriers to providing counseling. Undergraduate education and continuing education are both effective methods for training health care professionals in TCC. Identifying barriers to TCC may enhance its effectiveness, and should be addressed in the American Dental Hygienists' Association's "Ask, Advise, Refer" initiative.